Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an extraschedular TDIU from June 30, 2009 to December 29, 2014 was denied as the preponderance of the evidence did not show that he was unable to secure or follow any form of substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's exposure to noise during combat in Vietnam is sufficient to establish a nexus with his current conditions.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support these claims. The Board concluded that the Veteran's current conditions are related to her in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss disability did not manifest within one year of separation from service and was not caused by in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and an increased evaluation for tinnitus have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 15, 2013, for PTSD has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 15, 2013, for TDIU has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a nerve/gait condition secondary to PTSD and/or exposure at Camp Lejeune is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including right hip, left knee, and right ear disorders (other than hearing loss or tinnitus), as well as sinusitis and an upper respiratory disorder. The Veteran's symptoms have been attributed to his already service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, sleep apnea, and residuals of a broken nose were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.,Service connection was granted for the Veteran's residuals of a broken nose based on credible lay statements and medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with an effective date of August 28, 2003. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was granted with an effective date of August 13, 2004. Service connection for insomnia was denied.,Issues related to headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and TDIU are still pending and need further review.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 30 percent since May 25, 2018. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lung disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to asbestos exposure during service. The claims will be further developed to determine the extent of his exposure to asbestos in service and post-service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that his disability did not warrant such a rating based on the audiometric examination results.

The Veteran's eye disability is presumed to be related to his service, including exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange. However, there is no evidence that the current vision loss and glaucoma are directly related to his military service.,The Veteran's right knee disability may be related to combat activities in Vietnam, but a VA examination is needed to determine if this condition has a causal relationship with his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as the evidence did not establish a causal relationship between his military noise exposure and these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran is seeking service connection for this condition, which may be related to noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of current hearing loss under VA criteria.,Prior to November 3, 2015, the Veteran's right knee scar did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. From that date onwards, she met the criteria for a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum allowable under VA rating criteria. The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise regarding whether a higher rating could be assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not incurred in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is currently rated as noncompensable, and the claim for a compensable rating is denied.,The Veteran's tinnitus has been assigned a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, which is the highest possible under Diagnostic Code 6260. The Board finds no basis to grant an extraschedular rating.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss is denied since March 24, 2006. A 10 percent evaluation for right ear cholesteatoma is granted since May 15, 2013.