Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for his chronic right ankle sprain with degenerative changes are remanded due to the need for new examinations.

The Board dismissed the appeals for hearing loss, anxiety neurosis, shell fragment wound of the left leg and foot, and chronic otitis media as they are no longer relevant due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss are related to his military service, including noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability. The claims are granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities due to a lack of compliance with VA's duty to assist.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and asthma need further investigation and evidence collection. The decision is remanded to allow for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss, specifically his service connection claim. The Veteran is required to provide medical records and undergo a VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since December 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating.,For his heart disability, the Veteran is seeking service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board dismissed appeals for an earlier effective date for service connection for tinnitus, a higher initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for bilateral hearing loss.,The Board granted reopening of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, left shoulder impingement syndrome, bicipital tendonitis, labral tear, and shoulder strain. Service connection was also granted for allergic rhinitis.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a back disability, left and right knee disabilities, bilateral hearing loss disabilities, and psychiatric disorders are all denied as they were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, hearing loss, and COPD to allow for further development of evidence.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are not related to his service and are not otherwise causally or etiologically related to his service-connected lumbar spine disorder.,The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy is not related to his service and is not otherwise causally or etiologically related to his service-connected lumbar spine disorder.,Prior to April 30, 2019, the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss was not manifested by more than Level II hearing impairment in either ear. After that date, it was not manifested by more than Level IV hearing impairment in either ear.,Beginning on May 1, 2019, the Veteran's right lower extremity sciatica was manifested by no more than moderate incomplete paralysis of the right sciatic nerve.,The Veteran’s left lower extremity sciatica is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disability within one year post-service separation or a link to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's chronic headaches began in service and continue to this day.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted due to credible assertions of continuity of symptoms from service to the present, and the finding that his service was consistent with exposure to acoustic trauma.