Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence, as well as other issues related to his PTSD claim. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant records, including SSA records, and schedule a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The Veteran's tinnitus remains rated at 10 percent, a compensable rating for his left leg scar is needed, and the VA will conduct new examinations to determine the etiology of any hearing loss, psychiatric disorders, back disabilities, knee disabilities, and cephalgia.

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 in-service noise exposure and his current hearing disability. The earliest indication of bilateral hearing loss following discharge from service was found at the November 2018 VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for right ear and bilateral hearing loss prior to May 15, 2018 was denied as his service-connected hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The claim for higher ratings from May 15, 2018 was also denied due to no improvement in his hearing impairment.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of various hearing and shoulder conditions were dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective January 1, 2010 and denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The decision also found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to January 1, 2010.

The Veteran's migraines prior to July 8, 2015 were not productive of characteristic prostrating attacks and thus did not warrant a compensable rating.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the Veteran does not have a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for loss of vision, bilateral hearing loss, and anxiety with depressed mood due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his current psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the restoration of a 70 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss, which was previously reduced. The Board dismissed the appeal as per the appellant's request.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his current disabilities and military service.

The Board has denied service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability due to the absence of evidence showing a current disability. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding left ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of permanent auditory damage in the right ear due to in-service noise exposure and thus denying the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service loud noise exposure. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to his military service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death, including those for rating and effective date adjustments.

Tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss, bronchitis, residuals of thyroidectomy, obstructive sleep apnea, and migraine headaches are remanded for further development.,An acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable, with the average decibel loss in both ears being no worse than Level II. The Board found that a compensable rating is not warranted based on the objective audiometric results.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence does not show that these conditions had their onset in service or are otherwise etiologically related to service.