Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for higher staged initial ratings for hypertension, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The issues of service connection for right ear hearing loss and entitlement to a rating higher than 30 percent for anxiety disorder with adjustment disorder are also being remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted based on the current evidence of record.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently manifested by a pure tone threshold average of 48 dB in the right ear, corresponding to a noncompensable rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded to allow for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied because there was no in-service auditory injury, which means he did not meet the second prong of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's low back disability and several other conditions are denied service connection. The remaining claims for unspecified depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, GERD, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with pure tone thresholds at each of the four specified frequencies being within normal limits. The Board finds that an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss is not warranted.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 14, 2001 for the grant of service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's claim was not previously denied and he submitted a formal claim on May 29, 2001.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically whether it is related to service. The Veteran needs to provide release forms for his outpatient clinic records and undergo a VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period. The Board denied an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as service connection was not established due to lack of evidence meeting VA standards for a current disability.,Service connection for tinnitus was also denied, with the Board finding that there is no nexus between in-service noise exposure and the current condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings for various disabilities due to incomplete records, including missing STRs and SPRs. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these records and attempt to verify the Veteran’s claimed stressors.,VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right and left foot calluses.

The Veteran's service-connected Ménière’s syndrome is rated at 60 percent prior to September 28, 2018. The Board granted a higher rating for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left hand disorder, and left ankle disorder have been granted. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are considered service-connected due to in-service acoustic trauma and continuous symptoms since separation from service. The left hand disorder is also considered service-connected as it is a chronic disease that developed within one year of separation from service. However, the left ankle disorder does not meet the criteria for service connection as there was no in-service incurrence or development of a compensable disability within one year of separation.

The Veteran's claims for joint pain, left ankle disability, gastrointestinal disability, respiratory disability, right ear hearing loss, CFS, and memory loss have all been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship to service.,The claim for TBI residuals has been remanded due to the need for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of medical evidence addressing these conditions.