Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted service connection, but the VA determined that it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

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

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has reduced the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability rating from 20 percent to 10 percent, effective January 1, 2016. The reduction was proper as there was improvement in the Veteran’s ability to function in ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and GERD are granted. The claim for a bilateral foot disorder is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran contends that his hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, but the VA examiner did not address whether there was a significant shift or notch at higher frequencies during service or shortly thereafter.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated at 0 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's stomach disorder is currently rated at 40 percent. The Board finds that a higher rating in excess of 40 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and his left ear hearing loss is not service-connected. The Board denied the claim for an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened and granted. Service connection was established for lumbar spine disability, but denied for post-traumatic headaches and right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss of the left ear and tinnitus were granted with an effective date of February 7, 2013. The Board found that there was clear evidence to support the earlier filing of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide an opinion on the secondary service connection claim for bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on the audiometric test results provided.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various conditions due to outstanding records and additional development needed, including verification of stressors and VA examinations.

The Board has allowed the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for lower back disorder, bilateral hearing loss disorder, tinnitus, and skin disorder on the feet. The appeals are remanded due to the need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 28, 2017 was denied. However, a 20 percent disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss since July 28, 2017 is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for nasal obstruction and chronic sinusitis. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease (cardiovascular), and hypertension are remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy, chronic kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy), and bilateral hearing loss are being reviewed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no causal relationship between the current conditions and in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's claims were based on direct service connection rather than presumptive or secondary theories.

The Board has remanded the TDIU issue on appeal due to failure to substantially comply with previous instructions, including requesting updated employment information and considering whether the Veteran's post-2010 employment is considered 'marginal' employment.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's PTSD claim is denied as there is no evidence showing he currently has or had PTSD during the appeal period. Bilateral hearing loss is not compensable due to the current disability percentage evaluation being zero percent.