Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss disability due to outstanding VA medical records.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The right ear hearing loss case is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and asthma/spastic airway disease are remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including treatment records and an audiologist opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left ear hearing loss and lumbar spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal of the claims for hearing loss and tinnitus was dismissed due to their death.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and ratings for certain disabilities. The specific issues include dental disorders, hearing loss, tinnitus, ear infections, sleep apnea, arm and elbow disorders, frostbite residuals, low back disorder, sciatic nerve disorder, psychiatric disorders, pes planus, gout in the lower extremities, bronchial asthma, and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for service connection of left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is found to be related to in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his military service and noting inconsistent statements regarding when he first experienced hearing problems.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking his current hearing disability to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking the condition to military service. The hearing loss claim is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, specifically anxiety disorder. The claim for right ear sensorineural hearing loss is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, migraine headaches, visual impairment, and a convulsive disorder due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a link between service and these conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hematuria and bilateral hearing loss do not meet the criteria for service connection. The decision is remanded to obtain a new VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss, as the previous opinion was insufficient.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss had its onset during service and is related to in-service noise exposure, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, with a maximum of Level II hearing acuity in both ears resulting in a zero percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's sensorineural bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected. The conditions were found to be related to exposure to excessive military noise during combat in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and denied service connection for prostate disability. The claims of entitlement to a higher rating for asthma, service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are remanded.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with a numeric designation of Level IX. The Board denied the claim for a compensable rating.