Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the claim for TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew from the appeal all claims related to bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD with major depressive disorder and a cognitive disorder, dry eye syndrome with eyelid cysts, and TBI.

The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for AOJ initial review of additional evidence and issuance of an SSOC.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disorder manifested by dizziness is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and insomnia associated with tinnitus were denied as the evidence did not show that their service-connected conditions had worsened to a level warranting higher disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and heart condition due to potential issues with the medical opinions provided. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for a skin disability as his current folliculitis does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under 38 U.S.C. § 1117.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as Level I in the right ear and Level II in the left ear, resulting in a non-compensable rating. The Veteran's asthma results in FEV-1 of 56 to 70 percent predicted with daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy.,The Veteran's asthma does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent as his FEV-1 is between 56 and 70 percent, and he does not require at least monthly visits to a physician for exacerbations. The Veteran’s sleep apnea has not been evaluated.,The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder has been reopened. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of this claim. However, the Veteran’s PTSD is rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for an increased rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders due to his symptoms being described as mild or transient with occasional decrease in work efficiency during periods of significant stress.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their passing away during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claim for right ear hearing loss was denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's left knee disability was also denied, with the Board finding that his flexion and extension were within normal limits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and actinic keratosis due to insufficient evidence in some cases. The Veteran will need to provide VA Form 21-4142 for all non-VA medical providers seen for his conditions, as well as obtain VA treatment records from June 2018 to the present. He will also be scheduled for a VA audiological examination and an examination of his back and actinic keratosis.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of a cold weather injury due to the lack of evidence supporting the Veteran's claim.,The Board has remanded multiple issues including service connection for various disabilities and an increased rating for cephalgia.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it began during service and has continued to the present. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is caused by or related to his in-service exposure to noise from heavy equipment and working on the flight line.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was initially rated as noncompensable from June 30, 2014 through July 22, 2018. Since July 23, 2018, the rating has been increased to 60 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and Meniere's syndrome. These issues are being remanded to allow for further examination and/or opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the current schedular evaluations adequately reflect his hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, and no referral to extraschedular evaluation was required.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation and determination of the merits of various service connection claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence in the January 2016 VA examination report, specifically regarding a possible delayed onset of hearing loss perception.