Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to alcohol dependence, which was secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran died from metastatic gastric cancer.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated at a level of 10 percent, the minimum rating available under VA guidelines. The Board found that his condition did not warrant an increase in rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing a current disability. The left ankle disability claim is remanded as there are questions about its pre-service status and whether it was aggravated by service.

The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service.,The claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus prior to March 26, 2015, is denied because the Veteran did not file a formal or informal claim before that date.

The Board denied service connection for a right leg disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability, right ear hearing loss disability, asbestosis, and respiratory disorder (asthma with possible chronic bronchitis) are remanded due to the need for clarification of certain medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss prevented him from obtaining and maintaining work consistent with his education (he did not graduate from high school) and experience (over 36 years of working with sheet metal in a factory setting).

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has a bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and whether it is at least as likely as not caused by or related to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as service connection was established based on direct evidence of in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of verification of the Veteran's duty dates, and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and right foot disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for medical examinations.

The Veteran's current tinnitus disability is granted as service connected, while his bilateral hearing loss disability remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been denied as there is no competent evidence linking the current condition to his military service.,His initial rating for bilateral hearing loss remains at 20 percent, but the case is remanded due to potential changes in his hearing status.

The appeal of the denial of service connection for vertigo, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, SMC/AA, and gout is dismissed as no adequate substantive appeal was filed.,The appeals of service connection for sleep apnea and headaches are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension has been reopened, and the Board finds that it is at least as likely as not related to his diabetes mellitus, type II.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had current tinnitus symptoms attributable to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as the current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss disability, conceded in-service noise exposure, and competent and credible evidence of in-service incurrence and continuity of symptomatology since service meet the criteria to establish service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and type 2 diabetes mellitus based on in-service noise exposure and presumed exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, which is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.