Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded due to inadequate reasoning in a previous VA examination.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, cold residuals in both lower extremities, and tinnitus. The combined disability rating is at least 90 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for hearing loss, which was decided by the Board in December 2013.

The Board has determined that the May 2014 decision granting service connection for right ear hearing loss is not supported by a proper examination and reasoning. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss may have been present at enlistment, but there was a significant shift in hearing levels from -5 to 10 decibels at 4000 Hz between the pre-induction and separation audiograms. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to address these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss, and a new VA examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss due to inadequate opinions in the VA examination.

The Veteran's skin disorder claim is remanded. The RO reduced the Veteran’s disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss from 30% to 10%, effective April 1, 2014, and this decision is being reviewed.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension. The claims for right ear hearing loss and sleep apnea (claimed as secondary to hypertension) are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus have been rated at the maximum allowable levels, while his psychiatric disorder remains at a 50% rating. The Board has remanded these issues for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his hearing impairment warranted a higher evaluation.

The Board has decided that service connection is granted for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of clear and unmistakable evidence regarding pre-existing hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder, right elbow, low back, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic sinusitis disabilities. The appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed left ankle disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss. The earliest clinical evidence of hearing loss was documented more than four decades after separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The claims for increased disability ratings are also being remanded.

The Board denied an increased disability rating greater than 60 percent for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support such a rating during the appeal period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates for his service-connected tinnitus, but has remanded several other issues including service connection for various conditions. The Veteran is also required to provide authorization for VA to obtain certain medical records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for cervical spine DDD and bilateral hearing loss. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, finding that the Veteran's conditions had their onset during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied due to lack of diagnosed disability, and new evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,The Veteran’s right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Codes 5024-5260. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating based on current evidence.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board does not find that they meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating due to severe economic inadaptability.,PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 9411. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating based on current evidence.