Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and denied service connection for tinnitus and low back disability. Hearing loss is found to be related to in-service noise exposure, while the evidence does not support a finding that tinnitus or low back disability are related to service.

The Veteran's increased rating for bilateral hearing loss from 50% to 40% was not proper, and the 50% disability rating is restored effective December 1, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a duty to assist error. Additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling an examination, is required.

The Veteran's hearing loss is not service connected as it did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service. The Board finds the preponderance of evidence against finding a nexus between the Veteran’s current bilateral hearing loss and active military service. For the ankle sprains, the VA examiner's opinion regarding their onset in service or relation to service is inadequate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. However, the claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to a lack of evidence showing the condition began during service or was otherwise related to an in-service injury.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate rationale in the May 2018 VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service. The examiner did not consider all evidence, including the Veteran's military occupational specialty and lay contentions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder. The claims of service connection for tinnitus, respiratory disorder (undiagnosed), and chronic fatigue disorder (undiagnosed) are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, pes planus, and disabilities of the knees due to a lack of medical examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 14, 2017, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter is denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of a compensable rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened since the last examination, and a new VA audiological examination is needed to determine its current severity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, arthritis of the left knee, and left CTS have been granted. The decision also denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient rationale in previous opinions, and requests that additional evidence be obtained.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened, and a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities were not related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is due to in-service acoustic trauma and that there is credible evidence of symptoms since service.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence was not received to support the claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as service connected. The claims for tinnitus and right leg disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development to address duty-to-assist errors and provide additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military noise exposure.