Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, bilateral tinnitus, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction, do not render him unemployable. The Board denied his claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on the objective audiometry results provided.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as it was not shown to be related to active duty service.,Tinnitus was incurred during active duty service and has been present since then.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as it was not shown to be related to active duty service.,Tinnitus was incurred during active duty service and has been ongoing since then.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the failure of VA to arrange an adequate examination. The Veteran was incarcerated and unable to attend scheduled examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of current hearing loss.,The Veteran's tinnitus has been assigned a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, which is the highest available under Diagnostic Code 6260. The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for tinnitus must be denied.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus was determined to be January 7, 2016, and earlier dates are not warranted.,The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 70 percent disabling. The Board finds that a higher evaluation is warranted based on additional evidence received since the last rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on the evidence showing his disabilities impact his ability to work in physical occupations.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and records are needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's kidney stones, cervical spine disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The case is therefore being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, while some issues regarding ratings and initial compensable ratings were granted. The appeal is mixed as some issues are granted and others are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records related to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were dismissed due to his death prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back disorder, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection of low back disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and other conditions have been denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.,Service connection has not been established for any of the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding the reduction of ratings for bilateral hearing loss and ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability, back disability, neck disability, left ear hearing loss disability, erectile dysfunction, and Meniere’s disease have been dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his claims prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected due to noise exposure during military service.