Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has denied service connection for neuropathy of the lower extremities, and has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, preclude him from securing or following a substantial gainful occupation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his hearing loss is related to noise exposure during military service. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were found to be related to in-service noise exposure.,A rating of 10 percent for pulmonary histoplasmosis was denied.

The Board has found that additional VA examinations are needed for the Veteran's claims of bilateral hearing loss and pulmonary fibrosis, as the current evidence is insufficient to make a determination.

The claim for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear has been reopened and granted. The claim for a compensable rating for sensorineural hearing loss of the left ear (now both ears) is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service. Additional medical opinions are needed.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The Veteran's current diagnoses, including his reported in-service noise exposure, are considered sufficient to establish service connection.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Veteran's low back residuals of soft tissue sarcoma are rated at 40 percent prior to December 10, 2015 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter. Bilateral hearing loss and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity do not warrant a compensable initial rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria for a hearing loss condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss do not render him unemployable, as he has a strong social network and can manage his symptoms with medication adjustments. The Board denied the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depressive disorder, are related to his service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal by the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and sleep apnea need further development due to incomplete medical records and inconsistencies in the evidence. The case is being remanded to provide a new VA examination and obtain additional information.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for COPD and basal cell skin cancer of the face to include as due to Agent Orange exposure, and service connection for sleep apnea to include as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of residuals of a traumatic brain injury, rhinitis, and fatigue and muscle pain have been dismissed.,An effective date earlier than January 23, 2008 for the grant of service connection for a cervical spine disability has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hearing loss in the left ear was denied because he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 100 percent since August 13, 2018, based on the severity of his condition as evidenced by audiometric testing results.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his current hearing disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.