Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as his symptoms have reportedly increased since his last examination in December 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 3, 2019. His combined disability rating was 60 percent at that time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service, including noise exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a connection between the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his present condition.

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

The Board has determined that the April 2016 rating decision is not final due to new and material evidence received within one year of the decision. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as Level II in each ear, resulting in a noncompensable disability evaluation. The Board denied the claim for an initial compensable rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it had its onset during active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding no current diagnosis in either case. The evidence did not show that the Veteran had a diagnosed condition related to his military service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and perforated left tympanic membrane have been denied due to the lack of evidence supporting higher disability ratings.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, panic disorder with agoraphobia, and generalized anxiety disorder, is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions addressing all diagnoses.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for sensorineural hearing loss, right ear is remanded due to the failure to schedule a VA examination. The earlier effective date for service connection of acquired psychiatric disability remains denied. The appeal of the issue of entitlement to TDIU has been dismissed as moot.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for sensorineural hearing loss, right ear is REMANDED. The earlier effective date for service connection of acquired psychiatric disability is DENIED. The appeal of the issue of entitlement to TDIU is DISMISSED.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral knee conditions. The claim of service connection for dermatitis is remanded due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and tinnitus, but has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examination. The Veteran's lay contentions must be considered, including his statements about onset and noise exposure.

The appeal for an initial, compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed.,Service connection for a respiratory disability (pneumonia) is denied. The Veteran's current breathing problems are not related to his service.

The Veteran's heart condition, including atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, and non-ischemic conditions, was aggravated during his active service in Iraq. The Board granted service connection for this condition.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is also a result of his cardiac disability, which he developed during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected bilateral cholesteatoma, status-post mastoidectomy is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss is not related to his active duty service, but granted service connection for tinnitus and skin cancer based on in-service exposure to loud noises and sun exposure, respectively.,Service connection was established for tinnitus due to noise exposure during service. The Veteran's current tinnitus is considered as at least as likely as not related to the noise exposure.

The Veteran's hepatitis B disability is granted with a 20% rating from July 11, 2006 to September 20, 2018. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability remains at 20% since September 25, 2018.