Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of July 18, 2011 for the higher 100 percent rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active service.

The Board has denied service connection for migraine headaches and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability due to insufficient evidence in the August 2018 decision.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the December 2018 VA examination results in a noncompensable evaluation due to the Veteran not qualifying under an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment. The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea were remanded as there is insufficient evidence on record regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss, chronic lower back pain, and right foot condition have been granted. The rating for tinnitus remains at 10%.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including seizure disorder, PTSD, and chronic migraine headaches, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his active service, and the appeal for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for dizziness (Meniere’s disease), finding that an addendum opinion is needed to address whether it is related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and initial compensable rating for hearing loss is denied. The effective date of service connection for hearing loss was correctly assigned as April 29, 2003, the date he filed his informal claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as the evidence is in equipoise on whether it is etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 50 percent from January 16, 2019 to May 2, 2019. The effective date for the increased rating was determined based on the receipt of his intent to file a claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as there is no probative evidence of a nexus between the disabilities and service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and left eyelid scar prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds the AOJ committed a pre-decisional duty to assist error by not sending the case to the Director of the Compensation Service for entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's exposure to loud noise in service caused his current hearing loss, and also concluded that his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is proximately due to his tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his service exposure to loud noise while working as a flight mechanic, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral knee disability is being readjudicated due to new evidence. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of left knee degenerative arthritis and that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether this disability began during active service. For the higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss, an initial rating higher than 20 percent from August 21, 2017 through January 28, 2019 is denied.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased evaluation of bilateral hearing loss, service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and neck injury due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, left and right ankle disabilities, and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected. However, due to insufficient evidence regarding his current bilateral hearing loss and a lack of examination for his lumbar spine disability, as well as ongoing issues with increased ratings for his ankles, the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hearing loss and photodermatitis of the arms and legs have been granted service connection. However, his left thumb disorder has not been linked to service.,The Veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for Graves' disease, a right foot disorder (claimed as hurt toe), and left shoulder disorder.