Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen claims of service connection for tinnitus and hepatitis C is granted. On de novo review, service connection for hepatitis C is also granted.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, including on an extra-schedular basis, is denied. The Board found that the applicable schedular criteria adequately describe the Veteran’s disability level and symptomatology.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an anxiety disorder with PTSD, have not rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to the inextricability of the issues, including a claim for an earlier effective date for dependency compensation on the basis of his marriage and a higher evaluation for hearing loss.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a right thigh condition. The low back, left leg, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric conditions (to include PTSD) are all denied as they have not been established by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his hearing acuity does not warrant a compensable rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is not related to his military service.,The Board also denied service connection for tinnitus, concluding that there was no evidence linking the condition to his time in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss, specifically her exposure during a period of service from October 28, 1982 to December 16, 1982. Additional development is needed including verification of this period and obtaining all relevant service treatment records.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and peripheral venous insufficiency in both legs due to inadequate examination prior to September 27, 2005. The Veteran is requested to be examined by a VA examiner or at his correctional facility if possible.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and a vocational assessment to determine his employability, as well as an opinion from the Director of Compensation Service regarding extraschedular consideration.

The Board has dismissed all the issues of service connection raised by the Veteran, as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to acoustic trauma from his honorable period of service.,VA has a heightened duty to assist the Veteran in developing his claims since government records may have been lost. Relevant medical and personnel records should be obtained.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all issues on appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have made it impossible for him to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective November 15, 2013.