Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to address the etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus claims. Additionally, he must be provided with a statement of the case concerning his psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disability, and TDIU claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA audiologic examination and obtaining updated treatment records.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be proximately due to his service-connected PTSD. The Board also finds that a rating in excess of 10 percent for diverticulosis and left lower extremity radiculopathy is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and left leg sciatica with intervertebral disc syndrome established. Effective July 25, 2012, he was awarded a 30 percent rating for adjustment disorder with mixed emotions and conduct, depression and primary insomnia (claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder). The Veteran's effective dates are granted for the service connection determinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss disability is service-connected, as it was incurred during his active military service. The right ear hearing loss claim is denied because there is no evidence of a pre-existing condition that worsened during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for memory loss, right ear hearing loss, and sleep apnea. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for memory loss, and that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service for right ear hearing loss or sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is more likely related to post-service noise exposure and not due to his military service. The claims for headaches and bilateral hearing loss were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss since June 26, 2006, effective March 21, 2005. The previous claim of an increased rating was denied prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin tag was denied as there is no competent evidence linking any current skin tag condition to service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board found no evidence of a hearing loss disability for VA purposes during service, and the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service. For the low back and lower extremity conditions, there was no in-service injury or disease, arthritis did not manifest within one year after separation from service, and these disabilities are not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of rating for lumbar spine, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and hepatitis C are not before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions in the medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining recent VA treatment records and arranging for new examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain his SSA records, Army Reserve treatment records, and VA outpatient treatment records. He also needs a new medical opinion regarding the onset of his hearing loss and low back disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied right ear hearing loss. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum to the July 2014 VA examination opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination.