Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied on the merits in a November 2015 rating decision. The RO issued an improper January 2019 denial based on lack of new and material evidence, which is now corrected by remanding the case.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's appeals for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, a compensable rating for lipomas, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD has also been dismissed.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left ear hearing loss are remanded due to insufficient medical evidence. The Board requests updated VA examinations to determine the current severity of his hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss in his left ear is granted. The claim for right ear hearing loss is denied.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for further medical opinion.,Service connection has been established for tinnitus.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is REMANDED due to missing VA medical records.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for an increased initial rating for bilateral hearing loss, leading to its dismissal.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss disability, combined with other disabilities, makes him unable to work due to safety concerns and his limited education and experience. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this evidence.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship to service. The Veteran's current conditions were attributed to post-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and paroxysmal positional vertigo are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased rating for a scar from right inguinal hernia repair due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which is now reopened. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.,Service connection for tinnitus is also granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin cancer, and ischemic heart disease. The claims are being remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a pulmonary disorder due to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran must be provided with new VA examinations that address his reports of noise exposure during and since service, as well as his report of worsening shortness of breath after Vietnam.

The Veteran's schizoid personality disorder is rated at 30% from May 3, 2011 to February 15, 2018.,A rating in excess of 70% for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Veteran failed to report for an audiological examination scheduled in connection with the September 2017 Board remand.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal.,Service connection was denied for cervical, low back, and right knee disabilities. The Veteran did not have TBI or a vision problem at any time during the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.