Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury and the claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's record needs to be updated, and he must provide information about his private treatment for his back, including chiropractic care and surgery at St. Lukes Hospital in Houston, Texas. He also needs to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current back disability and the severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for tinnitus, PTSD, and sleep apnea. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and eye injury have been remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's middle finger disorder of the left hand is granted a 10% rating. Bilateral hearing loss is denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, recurrent tinnitus, and an increased rating for a scar on the upper third of his left thigh have all been granted. The grant is based on direct service connection due to in-service acoustic trauma.

Your claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional VA medical records from the Richmond and Fort Lee VA facilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, but has remanded them for further development to clarify periods of active service and obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a current disability, and the Veteran did not report having these conditions prior to his death.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, breathing-related disability, and lower back disability are granted. The Veteran is denied for higher initial ratings or earlier effective dates for her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including plantar fascitis, have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the evidence did not show that it was caused by military noise exposure, and there is no evidence of a diagnosis within one year after separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish a current diagnosis of recurrent tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further examination and development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability and rating for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions and missing treatment records. The Veteran is also asked to provide additional private treatment records from Dr. Boone and Dr. Mittal, as well as VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder also claimed as memory loss was granted. Other claims were remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates and evaluations in excess of certain percentages for various conditions, as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction is now rated at 40 percent since August 23, 2011.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are both rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal of the initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The case is remanded for consideration of service connection for a low back disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The initial ratings for left and right ankle sprains were also denied, but the rating for left ankle sprain from June 5, 2015 onwards was granted at a 20% level. The Veteran's PTSD claim resulted in an initial non-compensable rating which has been maintained.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing the presence of a current disability. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining additional service treatment records and providing an opinion on the etiology of any memory loss disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service despite a negative VA examination. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.