Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was evaluated at 0 percent in a July 2014 rating decision. The Board found that the Veteran does not have compensable hearing loss, as his audiometric results did not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional audiogram results and an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is due to noise exposure during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

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

The Veteran's hearing loss claim is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

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 current disabilities related to active service.

The Veteran's CAD, status post CABG, is currently rated at 60 percent and the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's residual surgical scarring associated with CAD status post CABG has been rated as noncompensable.,The Veteran's hypertension has required continuous management by medications but has never met the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on pure tone threshold average or speech discrimination rate.,The Veteran's chronic atrial fibrillation has been rated at 30 percent and factors warranting extraschedular consideration are neither shown nor alleged.

The Veteran's basic eligibility for VA loan guaranty benefits is granted due to his discharge from active duty being due to a service-connected disability (tinnitus and right ear hearing loss).

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective date and increased rating are addressed in a separate decision. The appellant died during the pendency of these appeals, so the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient rationale in previous decisions and need for clarification of evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence on file regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to herbicide exposure is granted. The claim for an increased rating for kyphosis with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss, and a surgical scar associated with Crohn's Disease is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the effective date of the grant of a 100% disability rating is set at April 14, 2016.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and evaluation. The Veteran's claims of service connection for peptic ulcer disease, initial compensable rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and TDIU are also on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of in-service evidence and possible delayed onset.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are related to in-service noise exposure, but additional development is needed due to a lack of definitive evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss disability is related to acoustic trauma sustained during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is due to in-service acoustic trauma and continuous post-service symptoms. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a blood disease, coronary artery disease with stent, and bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran is granted an initial disability evaluation of 30 percent for coronary artery disease with stent.,An effective date prior to April 21, 2013 for the grant of service connection of coronary artery disease with stent and bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.