Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any residuals of a right eye injury, including headaches or pain in the area of the Veteran's right eye, and rhinitis. Service connection is not granted for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of mononucleosis, or residuals of a right eye injury as there is no evidence of an impaired hearing disability or active mononucleosis during service. The case for rhinitis is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee disorder, respiratory disorder, and hernia have been denied. The reduction in the disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from 40 percent to 20 percent as of October 1, 2017 was proper.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD with depression are not service-connected, and his TDIU is denied as the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities does not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD have been granted. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU effective as of July 27, 2016.,The Veteran’s hand tremors are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his left ear hearing loss disability is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a more recent VA examination and consideration of all evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for clarification on the use of the Maryland CNC test and a new VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence does not support a link to service. The case is remanded for further action on the right ankle issue.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his statements about onset are credible. However, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of noise exposure or significant threshold shifts during service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for migraines is granted with an effective date of October 19, 2010.,The Veteran's claims for vertigo, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are granted with a combined effective date of October 19, 2010. The rating assigned is 30 percent for vertigo, 10 percent for tinnitus, and no rating for bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for migraines is denied.,TDIU prior to November 10, 2010 is granted with an effective date of October 19, 2010.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.,Service connection for alcohol abuse is denied.,Service connection for multiple sclerosis is denied.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied.,Service connection for Sjogren’s syndrome is denied.,Service connection for Hughes disease is denied.,Service connection for seizures is denied.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service connected. The right ear hearing loss issue is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to inextricably intertwined issues, including service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and claims pending at the time of his death. The appellant is now substituted as claimant for these claims.

The Board denied service connection for an eye disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service or a service-connected condition.,Service connection was also denied for hypertension and diabetes mellitus as new and material evidence had not been presented.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

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

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability, to include obstructive sleep apnea. The other issues of service connection have been denied as there is no evidence linking current hearing loss or tinnitus to service.

The Board denied service connection for asbestosis and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, sleep disability, skin disability, and depression due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus, but has remanded the issues of service connection for left ear hearing loss disability, throat disability, and respiratory disability due to outstanding medical records and a need for further examination.