Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board denied the claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a permanent positive threshold shift in the right ear during service and concluding that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is less likely than not caused by his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal disabilities and sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions in these matters. The Veteran is not shown to have a hearing loss disability, and his right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities are remanded for additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was initially rated as noncompensable prior to October 19, 2016. From October 19, 2016 to November 1, 2017, a rating of 30 percent was granted for his hearing loss. After that date, the Veteran's hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), PTSD, and low back disability due to unresolved issues.,Service connection was denied for TMJ joint dysfunction, left mandible, status post fracture.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic ear inflammation is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for hypertension (HTN) was not granted due to the absence of a currently diagnosed disorder and failure to meet the threshold for an examination. The Board found that the Veteran did not manifest HTN within one year of service, and thus cannot be presumed to have developed it during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service acoustic trauma, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and right ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to potential conflicts in medical opinions regarding noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and its relation to service. The Veteran was exposed to noise during service, but his separation examination showed normal hearing. Further investigation is needed to determine if the current hearing loss is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a dental condition for VA outpatient treatment have been granted. The remaining issues of left knee disability, gastrointestinal disability, lumbar spine transverse process fracture with residual chronic pain, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and Baker's cyst are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of a chemical burn to the right hand have been dismissed. Service connection has been granted for left pectoralis major muscle injury, right pectoralis major muscle injury, left shoulder osteoarthritis and tendinitis (secondary), and right shoulder SLAP tear (secondary).

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities should be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted, with a rating of 70 percent effective from September 10, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including symptomatic scar, tinnitus, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is attributable to service, and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently evaluated as non-compensable for the entire appeal period under DC 6100. The Board finds that there is no evidence of an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment, and thus a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his ability to independently ambulate without assistive devices.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for bilateral eye condition and bilateral hearing loss due to potential issues with the addendum opinion provided by the VA audiologist.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and coronary artery disease (Ischemic Heart Disease) are granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure and presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran is placed on continuous medication for his ischemic heart disease.

Right ear hearing loss is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a link between current condition and in-service noise exposure. Left ear hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable.,PTSD symptoms are currently evaluated at 70 percent, but no higher rating is warranted given the severity of symptoms does not meet criteria for total disability.