Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss) do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 2, 2011. The Board denied the claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service. Additional evidence will be requested, and a VA audiologist will provide an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board found no evidence linking his heart condition to his active duty service or any potential exposure to herbicides while stationed at Korat RTAFB.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for right ear hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as secondary to bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's in-service noise exposure is conceded, and his current hearing loss disability meets the criteria for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence to warrant an increase in disability rating beyond the current assigned ratings.

The appeal regarding an earlier effective date for the 50 percent rating of bilateral hearing loss is dismissed because the August 2015 statement did not constitute a valid Notice of Disagreement (NOD).

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to PTSD. A rating of 70 percent for PTSD, but no higher, is granted effective from April 24, 2017. The earlier effective dates for tinnitus and hearing loss are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Dyslipidemia is considered a laboratory finding and not a chronic disability warranting VA compensation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities combined to render him materially less capable of resisting his heart disease, which caused his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service, as there is a current disability and in-service noise exposure. The absence of an audiogram at discharge makes it speculative to attribute the hearing loss directly to service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to have begun during active service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as he does not have a current disability recognized for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for erectile dysfunction, residuals of failed ileoanal reservoir, and PTSD are all denied due to lack of causation by VA care or treatment.,The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of recurrent ventral hernia repair is denied as there was no additional disability caused by VA care or treatment.,Service connection for PTSD is remanded, indicating further development may be needed.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are service-connected. However, the claims for insomnia remain pending as they are related to his mental health conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeals for various conditions and issues as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that his hearing acuity does not warrant a compensable rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The claims for increased ratings of anxiety disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, total arthroplasty of the left knee, and chronic tendonitis of the left arm are all denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable, and the Board found that his hearing acuity did not warrant a compensable rating.