Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for seizures has been reopened, but the Board finds that COPD and tinnitus were not related to his military service. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of tinnitus and effective dates for bilateral hearing loss have also been remanded.,Service connection was denied for COPD and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her service connection claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD has been granted. She is now entitled to these claims.,Service connection for a back disability, hypertension, migraine headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, heart condition, bilateral hearing loss, recurrent tinnitus, left foot condition, and right foot condition are all denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not found to warrant a rating in excess of 80 percent, special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance was denied, and the Veteran was not granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that his functional impairments due to these conditions are not severe enough to prevent him from securing employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss manifested in service with continuity of symptomatology after separation, and therefore grants his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right wrist disability and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow any form of substantially gainful employment, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied prior to February 14, 2016. From February 14, 2016 through February 13, 2017, the Veteran is granted a 40 percent disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate etiological opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The VA examiner provided negative nexus opinions based on inconsistencies with medical literature.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to an initial rating of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss, but no higher. The decision is based on the audiometric findings demonstrating Level V and Level VII hearing acuity in each ear.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The remaining claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss disability is related to active service. The effective date of service connection for PTSD remains at November 16, 2007.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate examination regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran should be provided with a VA audiological examination for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not compensable, and his duodenal ulcer with gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was granted a 20 percent rating from February 6, 2017. The issue of service connection for migraine headaches has been REMANDED.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.,Service connection for diabetes secondary to service-connected back disability has been denied. The VA examiner opined that the diabetes was less likely due to or aggravated by the service-connected back condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his left knee and bilateral hearing loss disabilities. The TDIU claim was denied as he has been employed full-time.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability, in-service incurrence or aggravation, and no causal relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, right ear hearing loss disability, tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and skin condition to the lips (claimed as dry mouth), all secondary to existing service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's asthma with COPD is rated at 100%.