Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran is found unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, left thigh gunshot wound with compound fracture of femur, and other physical conditions. The Board finds that the evidence supports this determination.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for his left knee disorder due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board denied a rating greater than 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current level of hearing impairment does not warrant an increased rating. The claim for service connection for left hip arthritis and venous insufficiency was also denied as secondary to service-connected residuals of shell fragment wound.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to new medical evidence. The Veteran's fibromyalgia claim remains denied as there is no current diagnosis of fibromyalgia and it does not meet the criteria for an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service due to continuous symptomatology and credible assertions of in-service acoustic trauma.

The appeal for service connection for a right ankle disability is dismissed. Service connection and entitlement to a compensable rating are granted for bilateral hearing loss, but denied for tinnitus. The Veteran's left leg arthritis (residuals of left ankle open reduction and internal fixation) is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied service connection for sleep apnea. Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss due to in-service exposure to loud noise, while the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was not present during service or for years thereafter and was not caused by any incident of service.,The Veteran’s right lower extremity neuropathy had its onset during the Veteran’s active military service, and his left lower extremity neuropathy also had its onset during the Veteran’s active military service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as obtaining any outstanding private treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability during service and that there is no evidence of noise exposure or other causation in service. The Board found the VA examiner's opinion to be more persuasive than the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the appellant's claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and right ear hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss disabilities are related to in-service noise exposure.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea need further development due to missing or incomplete medical records, and a VA examination is required.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not considered a service-connected condition due to the lack of evidence meeting VA's definition of a disability. The Board has ordered another examination and review of records to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for a hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss rating was increased to 40 percent dating from May 23, 2014, until June 1, 2017. The RO continued the non-compensable rating due to lack of valid audiometric evidence supporting a higher rating within two years of the previous examination. The Veteran's attorney contends that his hearing loss impacts his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of prostate cancer has been reopened and granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, unspecified depressive disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted with effective dates of November 6, 2012. However, the claim for diabetes mellitus, type II has not met the criteria for service connection.,Bilateral hearing loss is rated at level I in each ear, which corresponds to a noncompensable rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss did not manifest in service or within a year of separation and was more likely due to presbycusis (hearing loss due to aging) and/or head injury from a post-service motor vehicle accident.,The Board also denied service connection for tinnitus, concluding that it is less likely related to service noise exposure. The Veteran's current tinnitus first appeared after a 1974 basic training incident and was not present during or shortly after service.