Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further examination. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of left ear hearing loss, residuals of left ear glomus tumor, and headaches for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a causal relationship between his military service and his current condition. The Board considered various theories including noise exposure but found insufficient evidence to support a grant of service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to additional development being necessary. The other issues have been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for a bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to prostate cancer due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran's attorney.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of his claims.

The Board has denied service connection for multiple conditions, including left shoulder disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, right ear hearing loss, bronchitis, irregular heart beat and dyspnea, frostbite of the left hand, diarrhea, and residuals of tick bites. The appeals are all denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection. The issue of chronic renal insufficiency (claimed as a kidney condition) to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II, is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and right-ear hearing loss, but denied service connection for left-ear hearing loss, a cardiac disorder, and hypertension. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and post-service symptoms.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that his preexisting condition did not increase in severity during service and thus could not be considered aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection due to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for malignant melanoma is remanded.

The DIC benefits claim is denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for receiving these benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318. The cause of death claim is remanded due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and found that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability is not related to his active military service. The rating for bilateral hearing loss was reduced from 40 percent to 30 percent, effective May 1, 2013.,The Veteran's appeal of non-service-connected pension benefits was dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and high blood pressure. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have not been met.,High blood pressure was noted during separation but no current diagnosis is provided in the record.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence and a need for additional examinations. The Veteran served as a Fuel Specialist in the U.S. Air Force from May 1972 to February 1973, during which he was exposed to hazardous noise. However, there is no clear evidence of post-service noise exposure or any medical records indicating current hearing loss.