Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss in his left ear, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it is related to service exposure to noise.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his hearing acuity is no worse than Level II in both ears, warranting a 0 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depression have been reopened, but the Board has remanded the issues of service connection for these conditions due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure from A6 jets. The VA must obtain a new opinion addressing delayed onset hearing loss and relevant research.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as of January 14, 2009 due to his service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is manifested by no worse than Level II hearing in the right ear and no worse than Level I hearing in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board denied an initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, with an average puretone threshold of 51 decibels in the left ear. The Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically his in-service noise exposure and its relation to his current condition.

The Veteran's dysmenorrhea was granted service connection as it began in service.,Service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is denied because the Veteran does not meet VA criteria for such a disability.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran’s left little finger disability rating has been restored to 10 percent effective February 7, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted. The decision also remanded the claim for service connection for COPD.

The appeals for a compensable rating for hearing loss and service connection for sleep apnea have been dismissed.,The claim to reopen the previously denied skin condition has been granted, with service connection established for a head and face skin condition.,Service connection is being remanded for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability is being remanded for further evaluation and rating consideration due to the need for updated medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss for purposes of accrued benefits, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating was not warranted based on the evidence of record.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent. The Board determined that a higher initial rating was not warranted as his attacks were not very frequent or severe enough to meet the criteria for a 50% rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sickle cell trait, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and back disorder due to new evidence or clarification of existing evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss had its onset during his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and hearing loss prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU effective January 3, 2018.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for TBI, a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 1, 2017, and in excess of 10 percent beginning December 1, 2017, as well as the issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to December 1, 2017.