Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, sleep apnea, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus as there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as it involves both direct and secondary service connection elements. The examination report must include opinions on whether the current hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure and if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected residuals of nasal fracture.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that his current tinnitus is related to noise exposure during service. The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability within VA standards.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and initial ratings for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease (CAD) were denied.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss has been granted. The Board finds new and material evidence sufficient to support the reopening of this claim, including the Veteran's testimony about in-service acoustic trauma and a recent audiologist opinion. However, the case is remanded due to outstanding records from 1985 surgery and a need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the indication of worsening since the most recent VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) as his service-connected SNHL did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, and radiculopathy, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions were caused by or incurred during active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied. The Board found that prior to August 6, 2014, the Veteran did not meet the schedular rating requirements for TDIU and there was no evidence showing he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating, and a higher rating for tinnitus is denied. The service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, with no evidence of an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment. The Board denied a compensable rating for the condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear and left ear hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss disabilities and active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions had their onset during the Veteran's period of active service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for acoustic neuroma with bilateral hearing loss was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left leg disability, a left ear disability other than hearing loss, and a left ear hearing loss disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was caused by noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted, effective January 19, 2012. The decision is based on the severity of his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development, including obtaining audiometry test results from VA audiological consults and treatment records.