Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as zero percent disabling throughout the appeal period, based on audiometric test results showing no more than level III hearing impairment in both ears. The Board found that these results did not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as it is more likely due to natural aging rather than in-service noise exposure.,Diabetes mellitus type II was not incurred during active service and did not develop within one year of discharge. The current diagnosis is attributed to the aging process.,Service connection for anxiety disorder prior to March 30, 2010, and an earlier effective date for a 50 percent rating are denied as there is no new evidence that would support reopening the claim.,The claims for heart condition, hypertension, and right and left hand conditions were previously denied. The Veteran's petition to reopen these claims has been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus. The decision found that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or herbicide exposure related to diabetes mellitus, and thus denied these claims.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities including right shoulder, left arm, cervical spine, bilateral knee, binocular vision, and hearing loss disabilities due to the Veteran's failure to attend VA examinations scheduled in November 2009.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a left shoulder condition, as well as the Veteran's cause of death. The claims are being remanded to consider nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted a temporary 100 percent evaluation for PTSD hospitalization from September 14, 2011 to March 20, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and following any substantially gainful occupation, resulting in a grant of TDIU effective August 30, 2016. The issues of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left hip and residuals of a right hip and femur injury are remanded.

The Veteran's right ankle and heel pain are attributed to a pre-existing condition, plantar fasciitis. Service connection for this condition is denied.,There is no evidence of left ear hearing loss during service or at any time since service. Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for IBS due to Gulf War service is granted based on the Veteran's history and symptoms, which are presumed to be related to his period of service in Southwest Asia.,VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran has current bilateral plantar fasciitis. Service connection will depend on whether this condition can be linked to service or a pre-existing condition.,VA examination is required to assess the nature and etiology of any back disorder, including determining if it is related to service or a pre-existing condition.,VA examination is required to determine the presence and etiology of bilateral knee disorders. Service connection will depend on whether these conditions are linked to service or a pre-existing condition.,VA examination is required to assess the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including determining if it is related to service or a pre-existing condition.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of current hearing loss during service or at any time since service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation, service connection, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board has granted the reopening of the previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded both issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial ratings for various knee, ankle, and hearing disabilities have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal in its entirety.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent disability rating for mood disorder. The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded and will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, to include as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, have been granted.

The Board has granted effective dates of June 30, 2006 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE), and May 11, 2011 for PTSD. The earlier effective date claims are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right arm, upper back, right knee, sleep, bilateral foot, hearing loss (left ear), tinnitus, hypertension, acid reflux disease, and menstrual disability are all denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions or a link to service.,For the specific disabilities: Right Arm Disability, Upper Back Disability, Right Knee Disability, Sleep Disability, and Bilateral Foot Disability, the Veteran does not have a current disability that began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The claim for hearing loss (left ear) and tinnitus are denied as there is no evidence of these conditions within one year of separation from active duty.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and remanded the cases of increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for low back disability.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and hearing loss service-connected conditions need to be re-evaluated due to recent assertions of increased severity. Updated VA examinations are required.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for a bilateral eye condition, and earlier effective date for entitlement to TDIU.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted, as the evidence is at least in equipoise that his hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service. The claim for tinnitus is denied because there is no current diagnosis of tinnitus.