Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disorder, and a psychiatric disorder due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on multiple issues, including service connection claims and evaluations for various disabilities. The initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 11, 2016 has been denied, as well as an evaluation in excess of 10 percent from that date onwards. Service connection for several disabilities is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of development regarding his National Guard service.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying the Veteran's alleged herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and bilateral hearing loss disability due to their withdrawal by the Veteran. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to withdrawal of the issue of an initial compensable disability rating for a scar of the right eyebrow. The claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were remanded, as new evidence had been submitted that could potentially substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a waiver of S-DVI premiums and SRH insurance was denied because he did not meet the criteria for total disability prior to applying for S-DVI, and his hearing loss alone did not qualify him for a waiver. The Veteran also does not qualify for SRH insurance as he is not eligible for a waiver of premiums on his S-DVI policy.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and his in-service noise exposure. The examiner's opinions were based on inaccurate information, and further examination is required.

The Veteran's right elbow condition is related to his military service and granted. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss claim requires further examination as it does not meet the definition of a disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's bilateral high frequency hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with the most recent VA examination showing Level II hearing in both ears.

The Board has granted service connection for acoustic schwannoma but has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and loss of balance, both secondary to acoustic schwannoma.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and no increased rating is warranted.,Hypertension has not been shown to meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent evaluation. The Veteran does not have diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more.,Diabetes mellitus type II currently rated as 20 percent disabling; no increased rating is warranted based on the current evidence of record.,Left shoulder impingement syndrome with arthritis post-arthroscopy has been increased to a 20 percent evaluation effective December 6, 2017. No further increase in rating is warranted at this time.,Cervical spine arthritis has been increased to a 10 percent evaluation effective December 6, 2017. No further increase in rating is warranted at this time.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including VA audiology examination results.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable due to the severity of his condition not meeting criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6100.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus as not related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a lumbar spine disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to this condition.,The Veteran's hearing loss and hypothyroidism were both evaluated at their current levels, but he requested higher evaluations. A new VA examination is needed to determine if his disabilities are more severe than currently rated.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for further evaluation due to the inadequacy of the VA examiner's opinion regarding his service connection claim.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The case is remanded due to the need for a VA examination regarding residuals of cold weather exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.