Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss will be reconsidered.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disorder and tinnitus. However, both claims are still pending as they have been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period. The Board found that his hearing impairment did not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for further medical evaluation of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted, while the claims for arthritis, rheumatism, anemia, hernia, and body weakness are all denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea, finding no current disability in either condition. The claim was not remanded for further examination as it did not require one.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his anxiety disorder with depression and restoration of a 20 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss effective from June 18, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for PTSD was dismissed due to his withdrawal. Service connection was granted for tinnitus, left ear hearing loss with Meniere’s disease, and right ear hearing loss with Meniere’s disease.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. The remaining claims for psychiatric disorders, hearing loss, and ankle disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increase in his rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 30, 2015 and from that date forward was denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder (hypertensive heart disease) and arteriosclerotic heart disease were also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the April 2016 VA opinion.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and an adjustment/mood disorder, has been reopened due to new evidence. However, the preponderance of the evidence is against finding that his current condition began during service or is related to any in-service injury or disease. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss per VA regulatory standards.

The Board has dismissed the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, migraine headaches, and irritable bowel syndrome. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder) is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected, with the Board finding reasonable doubt in favor of a nexus to his active duty.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating due to his service-connected disabilities, and is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation between August 9, 2007 and October 18, 2011.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left arm disability, right arm disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision also remanded the issues of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected right knee disability and an initial compensable rating for left knee disability.