Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has increased in severity, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the appropriate rating.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and chronic sinusitis, to include associated headaches. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus was denied as it is already at the maximum schedular rating. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is remanded due to pending service connection claims and incomplete records. The appeal will be reconsidered after addressing any outstanding issues.

The Board has denied service connection for Parkinson’s disease and remanded the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for right and left knee disabilities, service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, service connection for right and left upper extremity neurological disabilities, and service connection for a vestibular disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to an addendum opinion being needed.

The Board denied DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, as well as service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to insufficient evidence linking his vertigo or dizziness directly to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to issues with the hearing test results and the need for a new examination to determine if the Veteran has current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, and whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but the issue of service connection for lumbago with sciatica and intervertebral disc degeneration (low back disability) is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 26, 2017, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under VA's rating schedule.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not have its onset in service or within the first post-service year, and is not otherwise related to a disease or injury in service. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether hearing loss is related to service exposure. The Veteran's representative provided literature suggesting that auditory damage can accelerate hearing loss in some cases, and an addendum opinion must address this.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension was dismissed. The claims of reopening previously denied bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted, with the latter being on an aggravation basis.,The decision does not specify a rating assigned or effective date.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was found to have worsened, but the current ratings are still below what is warranted based on his hearing test results.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from maintaining substantial gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and deviated septum. Bilateral hearing loss is considered a disability due to noise exposure during service. Tinnitus is presumed to have started in service based on the Veteran's statements of in-service noise exposure. The deviated septum is found to be related to an in-service injury while serving as a track vehicle mechanic.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, and no effective date earlier than April 8, 2014, was assigned.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is granted as the evidence shows a current disability, in-service noise exposure, and continuity of symptoms since service.