Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a noise injury in service and concluding that any current hearing loss is likely delayed onset. The preponderance of the evidence did not support the claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus have been denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition was rated at 20% prior to December 13, 2011, and from February 1, 2012 onwards. A separate 10% rating for nonunion of the right clavicle or scapula has been granted.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and current symptomatology.

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated at a 40 percent disability level, which is the maximum rating available under VA guidelines.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, as there was no permanent positive threshold shift in either ear. The tinnitus, however, had its onset during service and continues today.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions began during the Veteran's active duty in Vietnam.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, gastrointestinal disorder (Crohn's Disease), and bilateral hand numbness, all of which he contends are related to his Gulf War exposure.,Service connection has been remanded for the Veteran's claims of chronic fatigue syndrome, gastrointestinal disorder, and bilateral hand numbness.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to missing service records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and TDIU prior to January 16, 2014 was denied as the evidence did not show that his ischemic heart disease warranted a 100% disability rating at any time before that date.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 40 percent prior to October 26, 2018 and at 50 percent thereafter. The Board denied an increased rating for the disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, skin condition, sleep apnea, and lumbar spine disability due to lack of evidence showing a current disability in each case.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and remanded the issue of service connection for allergic rhinitis and respiratory disabilities (including sinusitis, COPD). The decision on the hearing loss claim is in favor of the Veteran. For the respiratory issues, the case is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions to determine if they are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 8, 2009 for grants of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are denied. The appeal regarding an increased initial rating for service-connected hearing loss is remanded due to a lack of recent examination.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's hearing loss did not manifest in service or within one year of discharge and was not otherwise attributable to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted in a prior rating decision, rendering the appeal moot. The claim for PTSD/insomnia is remanded as there was no statement of the case addressing it.

The Veteran's request for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss since April 7, 2014 is remanded due to the need for an updated VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD is granted. However, the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability remains denied.