Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his active service due to noise exposure, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions, including cervical spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, coronary artery disease, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, residuals of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), and bilateral peripheral neuropathy. The claims were dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran’s attorney.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and a right wrist disability due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury is denied, with no current disability found related to the head injury during service.,The Veteran's disfiguring scars on his forehead are not compensable under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's claims for service connection are valid and, therefore, remands the case back to the AOJ.

The Board has denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the issues of service connection for peripheral vestibular disease (claimed as vertigo) and traumatic brain injury.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, coronary artery disease (CAD), non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, end stage renal disease secondary to diabetic kidney disease status post renal transplant, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a visual disability.

The Veteran's hearing acuity was found to be Level I impairment bilaterally, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the issue of bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and a 10 percent disability rating for tinnitus are both denied as the evidence does not support higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, a psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder and mood disorder), and a heart disorder (including coronary artery disease).

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has worsened, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence demonstrating current disabilities as defined by VA regulations. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's Meniere's Disease should be remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology and whether it is related to service-connected hearing loss or tinnitus. The TDIU claim also needs further review.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to decide the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, including a VA examination.

The Board found that an earlier effective date for SMC at the rate provided under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) is not warranted as a matter of law, and thus denied the claim. The case is remanded to issue an SOC addressing the possibility of entitlement to SMC at any rate higher than the rate provided under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l).

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for a back condition, tinnitus, hypertension, sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.