Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been found to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the mandates of the September 2017 remand order and has therefore ordered a new VA examination to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hearing loss is service connected. The claim for residuals of tonsillectomy requires further development as no VA examiner has provided an opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to undergo additional VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied service connection claim for hearing loss of the left ear is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection and increased rating for hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and determined that his pre-existing hearing loss was aggravated by service. The Veteran is now entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, specifically noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadquate development of evidence. The Veteran must provide a clarifying lay statement explaining his symptom onset, and VA will obtain an addendum opinion or new examination if necessary.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to insufficient development and examination.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 70 percent for bilateral hearing loss from November 30, 2017. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be manifested by Level XI hearing in the right ear and Level VIII hearing in the left ear.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals as the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal and thus, the Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran contends that his current hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, but the VA examiner did not address this claim adequately.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or auditory damage and concluding that the current hearing loss disability is not related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.

The claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied. The claim for left ear hearing loss is granted.,The claim for sleep apnea is granted. The claim for emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis (due to asbestos exposure) is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are not granted as there is no evidence of a current disability.