Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection due to lack of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology since service. The Board also found no evidence of a nexus between current hearing loss and tinnitus and service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issue of increasing his rating for lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, audiometry test results, and a sleep study evaluation. The Veteran's hearing loss and sleep apnea claims are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lung disability and hip/knee/ankle disabilities, have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.,No specific rating has been assigned as the appeal is still pending.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,An effective date earlier than August 15, 2012, for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,New and material evidence having been received, the petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability and degenerative changes of the lumbar spine is granted.,Entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and TDIU is remanded.,Entitlement to an increased rating for lumbosacral strain is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for a right leg disability is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for headaches is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for bronchitis is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the benefit of doubt favoring the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the April 2019 VA audiological evaluation and the need for additional VA examination, including contemporaneous audiometric testing. The Veteran's hearing loss disability is also being evaluated based on its impact on his vocational pursuits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a right eye condition due to inadequate examination reports and missing private medical records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted a 60% disability rating effective March 30, 2019. Prior to this date, his claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis of a disability for VA purposes.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss may be related to service, but the VA examiner's opinion is incomplete. The case is being remanded for a new examination and an updated opinion.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination due to allegations of worsening symptoms since the last VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been dismissed as the benefits sought have already been granted.,The propriety of the reduced disability rating assigned for bilateral hearing loss from 40 percent to 20 percent, effective August 28, 2014, has also been dismissed. The Veteran's 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss was restored.,For the period prior to March 30, 2018, the Veteran’s PTSD did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent.,The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed. The weight of the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeals seeking service connection for left ear hearing loss, hypertension, melanoma, and a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss. The appeal seeking service connection for a psychiatric disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability within one year of separation from service, and the medical evidence does not support a link between his military service and his current condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, left hip disorder, lower back disorder, hearing loss, and COPD due to potential service connection issues. The VA is instructed to obtain any relevant private treatment records and schedule examinations to further investigate these claims.

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 Veteran's PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The issues of service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, sleep apnea, and TDIU are remanded.