Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for extraschedular consideration due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employment.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the claims for right ear hearing loss and initial compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for migraine headaches was denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received.,Service connection for dysthymic disorder was also denied as there is no evidence linking it to service. The Veteran’s current dysthymic disorder developed many years after discharge from service.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating of bilateral hearing loss prior to August 13, 2013 was not granted due to the lack of evidence showing an increase in severity since his last VA examination in December 2010. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss from that date.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss after August 13, 2013 was also denied as the evidence did not show an increase in severity beyond what was already considered. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for his bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied as he does not meet the required percentage ratings and there is no evidence showing that he cannot secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, as his hearing loss and tinnitus would have no impact on his employability. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against a claim for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for tinnitus was also granted, with the Board concluding that the Veteran's current condition is linked to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee strain is granted as secondary to service-connected bilateral shin splints.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Right ankle strain and residuals of right ankle fracture with surgical repair are denied as secondary to two service-connected right foot disabilities.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to February 8, 2018 is denied as the evidence does not show that it was factually ascertainable that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities during that period.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The right ear hearing loss and skin condition (prurigo nodularis) cases are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus as the evidence did not support a link to military service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as the appeal for a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran withdrew these appeals prior to the issuance of a decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and a respiratory condition other than sleep apnea.,Specifically, the Board found that there is no current evidence of a bilateral hearing loss disability in accordance with VA criteria.

The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed to be etiologically related to his service. The case for bilateral hearing loss requires additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted. Service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable (zero percent) since February 18, 2010. The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable, with a puretone average of 47.5 dB in the right ear and 51.25 dB in the left ear.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, back condition, neck condition, and bilateral SNHL has been reopened. Service connection is granted for the acquired psychiatric disorder. Tinnitus is also granted as service connected. The claims for back condition, neck condition, and bilateral SNHL are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service acoustic trauma.