Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for further evaluation due to his assertion of worsening symptoms since the last VA examination in 2016.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss from September 1, 2016. Prior to that date, the Veteran's hearing was not found to be at a compensable level.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete examinations, lack of consideration of all relevant evidence, and new evidence added since the last SSOC. The Veteran is required to provide VA treatment records, complete a VA Form 21-8940, and provide IRS tax returns.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure as a basic training officer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current levels of hearing impairment do not warrant a higher evaluation.,Service connection for sleep apnea, which the Veteran claimed was secondary to PTSD, was also denied. The Board found no evidence that PTSD caused or aggravated sleep apnea.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's peripheral vertigo may be related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but needs further clarification. The case is sent back for a more detailed opinion.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since October 1, 2011. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted from that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for addendum medical opinions considering studies and articles referenced by the Veteran.

The Veteran's tinnitus and sleep apnea are granted service connection, but his bilateral hearing loss is denied. The case for service connection of the Veteran's sleep apnea secondary to GERD (previously characterized as residuals of duodenitis) is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with pure tone thresholds and speech discrimination scores indicating a Level II in the right ear and Level IV in the left ear.,Regarding lower back injury with chronic pain, the Board has remanded the issue for further development.

The Veteran's service connection for tinnitus was granted. The appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for PTSD (for purposes of treatment eligibility) is dismissed. The appeals of other issues are stayed or remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is granted a 10% rating. The left eye corneal scar, as a residual of a left eye corneal laceration, and the left ear hearing loss are denied compensable ratings. Right ear hearing loss is denied service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of an injury of a toe of the right foot due to failure to schedule VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the current severity of his service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, left knee instability, and left knee scars. The Veteran does not have a service-connected condition that would allow him to combine with his right eye disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to an inadequate VA examination. The examiner is asked to consider the Veteran's lay statements about his in-service acoustic trauma and temporary hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss in both ears, finding no evidence of onset or aggravation during service and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for further examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of service connection for hearing loss, and the Board dismissed the issue.