Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are needed to properly assess the severity of the Veteran's PTSD, scoliosis, erectile dysfunction, right elbow disorder, bilateral foot disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, narcolepsy, and vision impairment. The issues of service connection for these conditions have been remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was not shown in service, and the Board denied service connection for this condition.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to lack of a clear and unmistakable evidence opinion regarding aggravation during service.,Service connection for tinnitus is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the hearing loss claim.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is remanded because his VA examiner did not address whether it was aggravated by his service-connected disabilities or if it had its clinical onset during service.,Service connection for chronic sinusitis is also remanded due to lack of a clear and unmistakable evidence opinion regarding aggravation during service.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since November 10, 2009. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hepatitis C are all granted as service connected. The Board found that the Veteran experienced acoustic trauma in service which led to his current conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to conflicting evidence regarding whether he currently has these disabilities, as well as unclear evidence of their relationship to service. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if he has current hearing loss and tinnitus, and if so, whether they are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to in-service noise exposure and that presumptive service connection is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral eye condition, as well as his claim for a TDIU prior to January 29, 2015, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened. The Board has determined that new evidence supports reopening the claims, but remands them for further examination to determine if they are related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete information in a previous VA examination regarding noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to missing service treatment records and a need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's back disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not shown to be related to service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.,The Veteran's gastrointestinal stromal tumor was not shown to be related to service or due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA criteria, and the medical opinions are against a link to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for a VA audiological evaluation to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, including exposure to noise trauma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during active service and is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. Bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further examination and determination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for an updated examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran has hearing impairment for VA purposes under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385, and whether any right or left ear hearing loss had its onset during service.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and updated VA treatment records. The medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions are also needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board is remanding several of his claims for further development.,The Veteran has multiple conditions that require additional examination or evidence to determine their etiology.