Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent effective October 22, 2018. The Board has granted this rating and found it to be appropriate based on the evidence of record. However, the issue of a compensable rating prior to October 22, 2018 remains pending as the VA did not conduct an adequate examination in that timeframe.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development as there are insufficient opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was also denied as there is no evidence that the condition had its onset during service or within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was reopened due to new evidence. The claims for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, fibromyalgia, eye disability (blurred vision), bilateral hearing loss disability, respiratory disability (COPD, lung condition with patch), sleep apnea, prostate disability, tension headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder were all denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have been incurred during service.,Service connection for residuals of left elbow fracture and C1 fracture are remanded due to insufficient nexus opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating higher than 70 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show worsening of his hearing loss, resulting in no more than a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board denied reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of new and material evidence, as the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but the case is still pending as it was remanded due to insufficient evidence from a previous VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as their disability levels do not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current skin disability, and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The case of bilateral hearing loss and PTSD are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine their etiology.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is denied as there is no credible evidence linking the current hearing loss disability to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a fractured right tibia and fibula, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and back disabilities were granted service connection. The right eye hyperopia/presbyopia was not found to be a disability for VA compensation purposes, while the left eye optic atrophy is unrelated to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and lung condition. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss remains under review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and BPPV have been granted. The headaches disorder claim is secondary to the service-connected conditions.,An effective date of October 8, 2015 has been assigned for all service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding insufficient evidence to link these conditions to military service.,Service connection was also not granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, nightmare disorder, and insomnia disorder), as the Veteran's contentions were not supported by medical evidence.

The Veteran's former attorney was awarded $5,059.28 in attorney fees for services provided during the appeal process, which resulted in retroactive benefits being granted.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss as there is no current disability, and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a hearing loss disability under applicable regulations.