Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's current hearing loss disability began during service or if it is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, and migraine headaches has been partially granted. The Veteran is now receiving an initial 30 percent rating for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's initial claims for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and migraines were denied. The Board found that the current ratings assigned did not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for higher evaluations due to the severity of his symptoms. Service connection for a low back disorder was remanded.

The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 10 percent prior to December 6, 2018 and at 20 percent thereafter. The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically bilateral hearing loss and cold injury residuals.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss since December 21, 2015 is being remanded due to unclear results of the April 2016 audiogram and the need for an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The other claims have been remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss and restoration of a 20 percent rating for radiculopathy of the lower left and right extremities has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his appeals.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is currently rated as 60 percent disabling. The claim for an increased rating remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, IBS, and GERD is denied. The claims for chronic residuals of medical or surgical complications of pregnancy (episiotomy) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hearing loss is found to have started during his active duty service and has been ongoing since then. Service connection for hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he did not have sufficient hearing loss to be considered a ratable disability.,His claim for an increased rating for the residuals of his bilateral jaw fracture was also denied, as there is no evidence showing that his inter-incisal range or lateral excursion had been limited to 21-30 mm or less at any point.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The initial rating for anxiety disorder NOS disability remains at 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service, and post-service treatment records do not document these conditions until decades after separation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was denied as not related to service, and his headaches were also denied a higher initial rating prior to October 2, 2015.,After October 2, 2015, the Veteran's headaches were rated at 30 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of medical opinion regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to provide information about any healthcare providers who have treated these conditions, and he must undergo a VA examination.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board denied service connection.,The Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes, and the Board denied service connection for his left ear sensorineural hearing loss disability.,The Veteran lost teeth 7, 8, and 9 due to an August 1964 motor vehicle accident. The Board found that there was no loss of substance of the maxilla or mandible resulting from this trauma, and thus denied service connection for his dental disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision. Bilateral hearing loss and erectile dysfunction are not service-connected.