Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and tinnitus are found to be related to service, while his bilateral hearing loss is not. Service connection is granted for both the lumbosacral strain and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate consideration of a new VA examination in light of an October 2017 private audiogram. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is being reviewed again for proper rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's service-connected headache disorder, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder are found to be related to his current headaches. Service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is assigned the minimum noncompensable rating due to the nature of the disability. A higher rating for tinnitus is not granted, and a higher rating for major depressive disorder is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been reopened and granted. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of his claim.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 is granted as a result of herbicide exposure during service in Thailand. Service connection for diabetic neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities is also granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type 2.

The Veteran's claim for dependency benefits for his daughter, S.D., is remanded due to the inextricability of this matter with other claims involving disability ratings and service connection. The claims will be adjudicated together.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral recurrent tinnitus as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service noise exposure or continuity of symptoms.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 14, 2015 for the 100% rating assigned for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating prior to this date is denied.

The Veteran's TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis is granted. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence.

The Board has found that a remand is necessary to properly address the Veteran's hearing loss claim due to inadequate examination and lack of evidence regarding in-service noise exposure. The issue will be referred back for further development.

Service connection is granted for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus.,The Veteran's claim for a noncompensable dental disorder for the loss of tooth #3 due to caries is remanded as it pertains to obtaining VA outpatient dental treatment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable due to the severity of his hearing acuity, which ranges from Level I in both ears. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted due to continuous symptoms since discharge from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 80 percent, which is the highest rating available for this condition. The Board found that his hearing impairment did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding private treatment records for hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's lay reports of onset will be considered, along with any new private records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a right ankle injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence concerning his conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of right ear sudden sensorineural hearing loss, finding no causal relationship between his current condition and any event in service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's increased evaluation for Meniere's disease with labyrinthectomy and hearing loss of the left ear is being remanded due to a lack of recent VA examination, as her symptoms have worsened.