Hearing loss decisions — 2018

Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, and service connection for left ear hearing loss and chronic fatigue are granted to the extent of reopening. A rating of 70 percent for PTSD since April 16, 2012, is granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran's current condition was not incurred in service and there is no evidence of a diagnosis within the presumptive period after discharge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as level IV in both ears, resulting in a 10% disability rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase to any higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a hernia and entitlement to TDIU due to the lack of competent medical evidence linking any current hernia disability to service. The Veteran's other service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims of episodic tension headaches, bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to incomplete development and lack of sufficient medical opinions.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss. The right shoulder and neck disabilities are remanded due to lack of a VA examination.

Your claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for a DRO hearing. The issues include reopening of several service connection claims.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis has been manifested by symptoms including nasal congestion and headaches, but not polyps or at least 50 percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides. He is seeking a compensable initial rating.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim.,The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding that the Veteran's traumatic brain injury began during active service, or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The Veteran’s reports of a fall and head injury are not credible as they appear to be directly contradicted by the contemporaneous medical evidence.,The Board concludes that the preponderance of evidence is against finding that the Veteran's sleep apnea began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, prostate cancer, tinea pedis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than anxiety), finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is likely related to noise exposure during service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The issue of migraine headache disability is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. His PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA guidelines. A TDIU rating has also been granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including those involving hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), gastrointestinal disorders, GERD, erectile dysfunction, and a skin condition. The reasons include obtaining SSA records, scheduling examinations, and addressing whether these conditions are secondary to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of OSA, GERD, gastrointestinal disorder, erectile dysfunction, and a skin condition have also been remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's current tinnitus is considered to be related to his in-service noise exposure, while the hearing loss is not.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence linking the conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was denied. The Board also remanded the issues of an increased rating for eczema and entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus based on continuity of symptoms since service, under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b).

The Board has denied service connection for retinopathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, and left upper extremity neuropathy. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss and hernia condition were dismissed due to his death.