Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear, finding that it is as likely as not attributable to in-service noise exposure. The appeal was reopened due to new and material evidence submitted since the previous denial.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be at least as likely as not due to his active duty service. His bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are denied, but he was granted service connection for bilateral hip osteoarthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right knee condition or bilateral hearing loss, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.,Regarding the back condition, the Board finds that further examination and opinion are needed to determine if it is related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for a new examination regarding the Veteran's service-connected varicose veins of the bilateral lower extremities and hearing loss disability. The case will be returned to the Board after compliance with these requirements.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is granted, while his left ear hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for VA compensation purposes.,The Board finds that there is at least equipoise evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss may be related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was rated as noncompensable prior to October 18, 2017. Since that date, the rating has been increased to 40 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder, GERD, abdominal aortic aneurysm, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, respiratory disorders, vocal cord dysfunction, bilateral knee and shoulder disorders, lumbar spine disorder, and scars. The development includes obtaining service personnel records for the Veteran's periods of active duty and National Guard service, as well as verifying any qualifying periods of service.,The Board also notes that the Veteran has contended that his conditions are related to hazardous exposures during his period of active duty, including exposure to jet fuel and chemicals. The AOJ should attempt to verify these claims and obtain VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, frostbite residuals of the hands, and right shoulder disability can be adjudicated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for inguinal hernia and left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is not related to his military service. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.,Service connection for a lower back disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection, but his right ear hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the establishment of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no basis to grant such a request. The earliest possible effective date based on the facts in this case and the law and regulations is September 4, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection for hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence linking the disability to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss for accrued benefits purposes, finding that there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a continuity of symptoms since service. The Board also found that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of a blood disorder. The claim for reopening and granting service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted, with the effective date set at the date of receipt of the new evidence (June 2019). Service connection for unspecified depressive disorder was also granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of hearing loss, left shoulder disability, and low back disability has been dismissed. The claims for reopening of these previously denied conditions have been granted. However, the claim for increased rating of right shoulder arthritis remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand instructions. The Veteran's hearing loss disability is related to noise trauma in service, but further development is needed for a medical opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. However, both claims are remanded due to a lack of a VA examination addressing whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to her in-service noise exposure. The rating for patella tendon rupture with evulsion fracture and arthritis of the right knee is remanded due to worsening symptoms.