Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, with the highest level being Level I in both ears. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to service, and his right ankle disability may be secondary to a service-connected knee disability. The respiratory disorder associated with radiation exposure remains under consideration as there are insufficient medical opinions available.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and Persistent Depressive Disorder). The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no medical evidence connecting his current disability to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gynecological disorder has been reopened and granted. Service connection is also established for PTSD, but the appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran. Vision problems including astigmatism are not diseases or injuries for which service connection can be granted. The Veteran's decreased sense of smell (hyposmia) is presumed to have resulted from exposure to jet fuel fumes during service.,The Veteran has been granted a 30 percent disability rating for migraine headaches effective May 14, 2019.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied the claim itself due to lack of a current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, but has granted service connection for tinnitus based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is etiologically linked to his active duty service, resolving any doubt in favor of the claimant. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) have been granted. The decision also found that the criteria for TDIU benefits are met due to the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU effective January 14, 2019. The case is remanded for further development regarding his prior period of employment.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within a presumptive period, and the Veteran did not have continuous symptomatology. The Board also found that there was no link between current hearing loss and tinnitus and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it is not etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a pre-decisional error in the VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board found that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's postoperative umbilical hernia scar is tender but stable, and does not warrant an increased rating.,Bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,Service connection for anemia cannot be established as there is no current diagnosis of anemia.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to improper filing of a VA Form 10182, Decision Review Request: Board Appeal (Notice of Disagreement).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided that service connection for tinnitus is granted, but the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to incomplete examination and need for additional evidence.