Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination. The initial rating claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service. The decision is based on credible medical opinions supporting the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claimed conditions, as the VA examiner did not adequately address whether he has a qualifying chronic disability or medically unexplained multisymptom illness.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding his hearing loss, tinnitus, and back disorder. The claims will be considered on their merits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to deficiencies in the December 2015 VA examination report. The claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA-contracted examiner or another appropriate medical professional.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for her right ear hearing loss disability is denied as the evidence does not show that her hearing acuity meets or exceeds the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The right hand scar is rated as non-compensable due to its area being less than 39 square centimeters and not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7801.,The right hand laceration of extensor tendon, status post repair does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent as there is no evidence of moderately-severe or severe impairment.,The right shoulder arthritis, impingement syndrome and strain do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent due to the Veteran's range of motion exceeding below shoulder height during flare-ups.,Service connection for residuals, status post avulsion of left fifth toenail with skin flap is remanded as there is no evidence that the current disability is related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated noncompensable prior to June 28, 2011 and granted a 40 percent rating from that date until January 8, 2018. The case is remanded for further action regarding the period after January 8, 2018.,The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 70 percent prior to January 8, 2018 and a higher rating of 80 percent is warranted from that date onward based on exceptional patterns of hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connection, with the decision finding that reasonable doubt was resolved in favor of the claimant.,Service connection for tinnitus has been restored from January 1, 2017. The Board found that severance of service connection was improper and that there was no clear and unmistakable error in granting service connection initially.,The Veteran's hypertension is denied as secondary to exposure to herbicide agents (PACT Act).,Service connection for prostate cancer is denied as secondary to exposure to herbicide agents (PACT Act).,Service connection for a liver disorder is denied as secondary to exposure to herbicide agents (PACT Act).,Service connection for anemia is withdrawn due to the Veteran's request.,Service connection for GERD is withdrawn due to the Veteran's request.

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

The Board denied a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's hearing impairment did not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to September 19, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's depression is service connected, but has remanded his right ear hearing loss claim due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss disability are denied.,The Board finds that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claim of a bilateral hearing loss disability.