Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and in-service noise exposure. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's last VA compensation examination for his bilateral hearing loss was in March 2014. The Board finds a remand is necessary due to the possible increase in severity of his disability since then, and has ordered a new examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence for the sleep apnea claim and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for service-connected left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to alleged worsening since the last VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, DM, a right knee disorder, and a left knee disorder were denied. The Board found that these conditions are not related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The case is remanded to obtain clarification on the VA examiner's conflicting opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a link between current disabilities and military service. The Veteran did not meet the basic eligibility requirements for VA nonservice-connected pension benefits due to lack of qualifying wartime service.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted as the evidence supports its onset during or shortly after service, and it is at least as likely as not caused by in-service noise exposure.

The Board finds that further development and a supplemental opinion may be useful to determine if the Veteran has a ratable hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes, and whether it is as likely as not related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal requires remand for several issues, including right ear hearing loss and osteoarthritis of the left knee as secondary to service-connected degenerative joint disease, lumbosacral spine L5-S1. The Veteran is also required to undergo additional examinations for his right shoulder, lumbosacral spine, and dysthymic disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated on the merits. The Veteran's service connection and increased evaluation claims are remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has decided that the RO's decision to continue the noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is incorrect and requires further review with consideration of recent VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left ear hearing loss, residuals of MRSA, and left foot dermatophytosis was denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his right carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) was remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and lung disorder (asthma) due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the conditions and military service. The case is remanded for further examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service acoustic trauma and granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.