Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for updated VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions are related to noise exposure during active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since March 16, 2014. The May 2015 VA examination results showed level I hearing impairment in both ears and no exceptional patterns of hearing impairment.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The remaining issues of service connection for low back, neck, left shoulder disabilities and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral and left ear hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between his current hearing loss and his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected allergic sinusitis and grants service connection for this condition. However, the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for another VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability and whether he has a balance disorder, as well as any impact on employment. Additional medical records are also needed.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence from the Court. The Veteran must provide private treatment records, and a VA examination is needed to determine if his current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for an earlier effective date for the award of a 30 percent disability rating for generalized anxiety disorder is dismissed. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (formerly diagnosed as psychogenic skin reaction) has been granted increased ratings: 50% prior to June 11, 2018, and greater than 50% from that date.

The Board dismissed the appeals for hearing loss, tinnitus, and ischemic heart disease as they are related to a deceased Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and did not manifest within one year of separation. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated during his military service and is not related to any in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that new evidence received since the last final decision supports reopening of the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. However, the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is related to his military service or Gulf War exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by active service, and therefore grants service connection for the aggravation of her bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss needs to be remanded due to unclear audiometric testing results from private providers.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is not considered to have contributed substantially or materially to his death from dementia and aspiration pneumonia. However, the Board finds that a remand is necessary to consider whether there was CUE in denying service connection for hearing defect.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is now rated at 40 percent effective January 12, 2017. The previous rating of zero percent was increased to 40 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his anxiety disorder alone did not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure.,An initial compensable rating of 10 percent for the right ring finger fracture is granted, with a maximum potential rating of 20 percent.