Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to an in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and tinnitus, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has determined that a new VA audiological examination is needed to determine the current severity of his disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were granted. The claim for service connection for hypothyroidism was remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss prior to May 29, 2018 was not rated compensably due to auditory acuity Level V.,From May 29, 2018, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated noncompensably due to auditory acuity levels of Level IX in the left ear and Level I in the right ear.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and heart disorder. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was also denied. Additionally, the Board found that recoupment of severance pay is proper.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for left ear hearing loss due to a lack of current evidence meeting VA disability standards and because he did not report for his scheduled VA examination. The case is now being sent back for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he does not have a current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's left ankle condition was also denied as it is not related to his service-connected right knee and right ankle disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to April 26, 2016 for the grant of a 10 percent disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The earliest possible effective date is April 26, 2016, based on the VA examination conducted at that time.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a vestibular disorder (claimed as vertigo) is being remanded due to the need for clarification on whether his functional impairment related to dizziness, head pressure, nausea, or other symptoms are caused by his service-connected left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for peritoneal mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, asbestosis scarring, and COPD are denied.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss disability and PTSD was denied. The Veteran's depressive disorder claim was granted.,Service connection for depressive disorder is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to service.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The lung disability (to include asthma) claim is remanded.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability is at the threshold of a compensable rating, but more detailed results from his VA audiological examinations are needed to determine if he qualifies for such a rating.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was previously granted service connection, but he is not sure if his condition has worsened since the last VA examination. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his right ear hearing loss.

The Board has decided that the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a groin disability need more investigation, as some of the Veteran's service medical records are missing. The decision is remanded to allow VA to obtain any missing records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no credible evidence linking his current hearing loss to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.