Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and asthma were dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.,New evidence was received sufficient to reopen claims for service connection for a back disability and a right ankle disability. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise with respect to whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions alone do not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the disorders are not related to military service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 22, 2015 was denied. A rating in excess of 10 percent beginning December 22, 2015 for bilateral hearing loss was also denied. The case is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if he has a 'serious employment handicap' and whether an extension in his VR&E benefits and program duration is warranted, as well as to consider the appropriateness of changing his vocational rehabilitation goal from technical management to cybersecurity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied. The RO granted service connection for right ear hearing loss instead.,For the period from December 1, 2011 to July 24, 2016, a 10% rating was granted for the left ankle sprain with distal fibula fracture. After this period, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. Additional VA treatment records must be added to the file, and a new VA medical opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted, and the remaining issues are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, eye conditions, hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C, arthritis, and diabetes. The Veteran's private treatment records are needed, as well as the full set of his service treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of bilateral hearing loss, anxiety, and sleep apnea due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection. The Veteran's CAD does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent, and his PTSD meets the criteria for ratings in excess of 30 percent prior to January 15, 2018, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The case is remanded for a new VA audiological examination to determine if the Veteran has a bilateral hearing loss disability related to service.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as there are questions regarding the etiology of these conditions based on in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus may be related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus as they have already been granted in a March 2019 rating decision. The claim for left ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical evidence in the May 2017 VA examination report. The Veteran's lay statements regarding noise exposure during service are considered, but a new opinion is required from a new examiner.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, nasal disorder, liver disorder, cyst of the left ovary, and hair loss disorder as secondary to her service-connected lupus/rheumatoid arthritis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 50% from June 25, 2009 to November 10, 2011. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not support it.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for dermatitis and hearing loss were denied as there is no current disability related to service, and the evidence does not show a nexus between the claimed conditions and military service.