Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s hearing loss did not rise to the level of severity warranting financial compensation under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed hearing loss, as it is unknown whether the Veteran currently has a hearing loss disability. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his military service, given that he was an aviation mechanic and had complaints of reduced hearing in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete records and need for further medical examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or chronicity within one year from separation. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder) and obstructive sleep apnea have been remanded due to incomplete development.,The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and pulmonary sarcoidosis, as these conditions may be related to his military service. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records and undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are linked to his time in service.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied. The effective date will be fixed in accordance with the facts found, but shall not be earlier than June 12, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran was found not to have a current diagnosis of hypertension, and his hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a higher than 0 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection of migraine headaches, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and TDIU due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hammer toes and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of a nexus between the disabilities and active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss disability, and the Board dismissed it.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient rationale provided by the VA examiner regarding the relationship between service exposure and current conditions.

The Board has decided that the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded due to missing audiometric test results.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused him to be unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU. The PTSD is rated at 70% disabling, but the Veteran asserts he should receive a 100% rating. He needs an updated VA examination for his psychiatric disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not manifest in service or within a presumptive period, were not shown to be related to his active duty service, and continuity of symptomatology was not established.,Service connection could only be granted on a direct basis, but the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding of a nexus between the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The case was also remanded to obtain VA treatment records, issue an SOC on the issues of SMC and earlier effective date, and schedule a hearing loss examination.

The Veteran's current noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is not reflective of his present level of severity, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder was reopened, and he is now entitled to a rating of 60 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) from August 23, 2017 onwards. His claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral vascular disease, and nephrolithiasis are denied. Service connection for liver disease and peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity secondary to diabetes is also denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection, and the effective date for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The issues of ED secondary to PTSD, a compensable evaluation for hearing loss, an increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU are all remanded.