Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, coronary artery disease (CAD), arthritis, a back disorder, a left shoulder disorder, a right shoulder disorder, and a left leg disorder. The decision found no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after active service.,Service connection was also denied for a right leg disorder. The Board noted that the Veteran had not been diagnosed with any such condition until October 2001.

The Board has decided that service connection cannot be established for the Veteran's back condition, but has remanded the case to obtain missing service records and provide an etiology opinion regarding his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not having its onset in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hearing loss is related to service, specifically in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection and initial disability ratings for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss due to a withdrawal request by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to a typographical error in the Order section of the February 2018 decision, where it denied TDIU effective August 15, 2017. The Veteran's combined disability evaluation did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to incomplete records and the need for clarification of the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's mandible disability appeal is dismissed. Bilateral hearing loss and migraines have been granted service connection, but the respiratory disability and varicose veins appeals are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during his military service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II and hypertension due to a need for additional information from service department records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to outstanding medical records from VA facilities in Jackson and Natchez, Mississippi. The Board also ordered an updated VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's current conditions are more likely than not due to in-service noise exposure.

The claims for service connection on accrued benefits purposes are being remanded due to the need for additional information and evidence.

The Veteran's sinusitis was granted a 50% rating prior to July 18, 2018. Since then, the claim for higher ratings is denied.,Her bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of audiometric testing and insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss during service. The Veteran must be provided with a VA examination to determine if his current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, as his combined disability rating is at least 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cervicalgia and headaches, as these claims are inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for hearing loss.