Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions began during active military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection, but the Veteran is seeking higher ratings. The Board also found that there was no legal basis for a higher rating for tinnitus and denied an earlier effective date for tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a disease or injury incurred in service, and the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claims for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus was granted. The claim for left ear hearing loss is now granted, but the claim for tinnitus remains pending as it needs further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The appeals for right knee disorder, left ankle disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have been continuous since his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to May 14, 2019. The rating for bilateral hearing loss remains at 30 percent since July 5, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen his right ear hearing loss claim was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and thus the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted. The hearing loss claim is remanded for further examination and analysis.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability is denied.,Service connection for COPD is denied.,Service connection for hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for a left ankle condition is denied.,Service connection for sterility is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected external otitis, including determining its extent and severity, attributing symptoms to the condition, and assessing whether other diagnoses are proximately caused or aggravated by it. The claim will be referred to the Director of Compensation if extraschedular consideration is warranted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to the issuance of the remand.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for traumatic arthritis of the right fifth finger, a residual scar on the right hand, and painful motion of the right ring finger. The Veteran is now receiving the highest available disability rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and vision loss disabilities due to missing audiometric test results from VA facilities, and a need for new etiological opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is being reviewed again, and a new opinion must be provided by converting his in-service audiograms from ASA standards to ISO-ANSI.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing an in-service onset or link to military noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's hearing loss claim will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, scars, and hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since November 22, 2013. As such, TDIU is granted.