Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for asthma was reopened, but not granted as the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service. Service connection for asthma was also granted secondary to service-connected disabilities (sleep apnea and PTSD). The Veteran's hypertension claim was denied due to lack of medical evidence linking it to his period of active service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,A 50 percent, but no higher, rating for tension headaches is granted.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than March 25, 2014, and increased ratings for his left shoulder disorder were denied. His service connection claims for right knee, left knee, right foot, and left foot disorders are pending.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent since June 5, 2017. A separate 10 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with his service-connected lumbar spine disability was granted prior to March 1, 2016. The remaining issues are being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no current diagnosis of hearing loss in the record.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral hearing loss disability have been denied. The claim for an increased rating for tinnitus has also been denied.

The Veteran's request to reopen a previously denied service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss was received by VA on February 12, 2013. The appeal is denied as the effective date cannot be earlier than February 12, 2013.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's bilateral shoulder tendonitis is granted as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for updated medical records and an audiometric examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected. Other issues on appeal, including those related to the Veteran's spine, hips, and knees, were denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his application to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD and MDD was granted. The case is remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion regarding the psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA audiological examination records and determining whether an extraschedular rating is warranted for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right ankle disability and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to reassess the severity of these disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service.,The Veteran's PTSD is found to have been caused by or the result of active service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for an increased rating greater than 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss, and the Board has dismissed the appeal due to this withdrawal.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further evaluation is needed.