Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The case has been remanded for further rating consideration.

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. However, the claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to a lack of evidence showing a diagnosis prior to death.

The Board has remanded both the issue of reducing the rating for bilateral hearing loss from 20 percent to 10 percent and the issue of increasing the rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss. A new VA examination is needed due to an inadequate private audiological evaluation in August 2019.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to his service-connected sinusitis because a grant of service connection was made in June 2019. The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is not related to his service or his service-connected sinusitis.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record, particularly regarding the relationship between his current conditions and active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and remand issues must be addressed due to the need for additional VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to noise exposure during military service. The Veteran's reported history of noise exposure is considered, along with his self-reported onset of symptoms.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the compensation rating for his bilateral hearing loss, indicating satisfaction with his current VA disability rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim has been reopened, but the Board is remanding it for further development.,The Veteran's right knee and lumbar spine disability claims have also been reopened, with both being remanded for additional examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence supports a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and PTSD for further development due to the Veteran's failure to respond to VA examination requests. The AOJ should seek clarification from the Veteran regarding his wishes on these claims.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to determine if the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is related to his in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 50%, 70%, and 80% from June 27, 2011 to December 3, 2013; December 4, 2013 to November 30, 2017, and December 1, 2017 to the present respectively. The Board finds that these ratings are appropriate based on the audiometric results provided.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of hearing loss due to lack of evidence meeting VA's criteria for a diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right ear hearing loss due to lack of current disability for VA purposes, but did not specify a rating assigned or effective date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for service connection for dizziness and balance problems, bilateral hearing loss, back disability, and right hip disability are denied as they are found to be related to his service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to incomplete development of records, including VA and private treatment records. The issues include PTSD, neuropsychiatric condition, back disability, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and TDIU.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied as his right and left ear hearing loss are manifested by Level I or Level III impairment bilaterally.