Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a respiratory disability and bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is granted. Service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, head injury, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated at 80 percent, effective May 19, 2017. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence does not support such.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 0% from April 2013 to December 2018, and increased to 10% effective January 2019.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his active duty service.,There is no evidence of tinnitus in the record. The Veteran did not report or present any symptoms of tinnitus during VA examinations.

The Board previously denied the claim for increased disability rating and earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded due to procedural issues, including providing a copy of the SSOC to the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence or examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hearing loss rating needs to be remanded for additional development of his VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied because the condition did not manifest during service or is otherwise related to service. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypoxemia secondary to sleep apnea, and his alcohol abuse claim is also denied due to lack of entitlement under the law.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for alcohol abuse is denied as it results from willful misconduct (abuse of alcohol or drugs).,An increased rating for lumbar spine spondylosis is granted with a 20% evaluation, effective June 22, 2016. The left ankle sprain and left ear hearing loss are also evaluated at their current levels.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals regarding increased ratings for hearing loss, bilateral upper and lower extremity impairments due to Parkinson's disease, and an earlier effective date for service connection of depression.

The Veteran's application to reopen her claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. Her initial rating for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor and Hypertrophic Gastritis, as well as her ratings for lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis at T12-L1 and left leg radiculopathy were all granted. The Veteran's PTSD and adjustment disorder with depressed and anxious mood received a 70 percent rating, but no higher.

The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he died during their pendency.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for unspecified dental problems and an initial rating for bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete development, lack of a contemporaneous examination, and need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and left ankle condition due to insufficient evidence, including a need for VA examinations and verification of service records.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted service connection, but his right ear hearing loss and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are denied. The eye disorder claim is also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus are all granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and entitlement to a TDIU is granted from April 18, 2012.

Service connection for the claimed conditions is denied.,An initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder residuals is also denied.