Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective date and increased rating, as he withdrew his appeal. The case is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss because there was no new and material evidence submitted, and thus the claim remains denied.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable (0%) due to the presence of a nonservice-connected left ear with Level I hearing impairment, resulting in no worse than Level IX hearing impairment in the service-connected right ear.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension, finding no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has determined that a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 18, 2019, and in excess of 10 percent beginning on April 18, 2019, is not warranted based on the evidence. The Veteran's hearing loss was rated as Level IV in the right ear and Level III in the left ear before April 18, 2019, and Level I in both ears after that date.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the current opinions. The Veteran's MOS was Field Artillery Fire Control, which is associated with noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and dismissed the claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea. The case is remanded for rating the now service-connected bilateral (left and right ear) hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is insufficient evidence to determine their etiology, including potential service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his audiometric findings show no more than Level IV hearing acuity in the right ear and Level V hearing acuity in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, as his employability is most severely impacted by a non-service connected cerebrovascular disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at a 10% disability rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has ordered a supplemental opinion to determine if the Veteran's symptoms of decreased concentration, poor social interaction, difficulty following instructions, hearing difficulties, difficulty understanding conversations, and sleep troubles are related to his service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and right ear suppurative otitis media are being remanded for further evaluation due to the possibility of worsening since January 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and post-traumatic stress disorder due to inadequate examination opinions and lack of treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a rating of 70 percent effective February 26, 2014. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected due to noise exposure in service.,There is no evidence of toenail fungus during or after service, and the claim for this condition is denied.,Diabetes mellitus was not noted in service and did not manifest within one year of separation. The claim for diabetes mellitus is denied.,Erectile dysfunction was not diagnosed in service or post-service. The claim for erectile dysfunction is denied.,Hypertension was not diagnosed in service or post-service. The claim for hypertension is denied.,The Veteran's scar residual from right breast surgery is granted as service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims of service connection for left and right ear hearing loss have been remanded due to the need for additional examination.