Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not causally related to noise exposure during active service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with associated peripheral neuropathy, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, bilateral knee disorder, and sleep apnea have been reopened. The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in March 2012, and the Board finds no new and material evidence to reopen this claim. The Veteran is granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder and anxiety).,Service connection has been established for lumbosacral spondylosis and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy with effective dates of April 25, 2014.,The Veteran's claim for headaches is remanded. The Board notes that the issue of entitlement to a TDIU is inextricably intertwined with the pending claims and must be addressed concurrently.,Initial ratings are being remanded for lumbosacral spondylosis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 7, 2016, and a rating in excess of 30 percent thereafter was denied. The claims for service connection for hypertension, Parkinson’s disease, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, depression, PTSD, tinnitus, poor vision, and asthma were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee arthritis, GERD, and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Right knee arthritis is presumed to have been incurred in service due to a chronic condition manifesting within one year of separation from active duty. GERD is found to be related to service based on continuity of symptoms since service. Bilateral hearing loss is not considered as the Veteran does not currently have a diagnosed disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection can be adjudicated on the merits. This includes obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling a hearing loss and tinnitus examination, and scheduling a lumbar spine examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus of the left ear have been denied. The Board found that there is no current evidence of a right ear hearing loss disability or left ear hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations. For left ear hearing loss, the first objective clinical documentation was not until 36 years after service separation. For tinnitus, the first complaint was not until more than 35 years after service separation.,The Board also found that there is no evidence of a nexus between any current disability and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and PTSD, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current tinnitus is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure during combat operations. Service connection for PTSD is also granted as the Veteran's symptoms are linked to his combat experiences. Bilateral hearing loss was not established by VA audiometric testing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional records from SSA and VA treatment providers.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus due to missing service treatment records from the Veteran's second period of Army service. The VA is instructed to seek these records and consider them in their decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA audiological examination and a need for an addendum opinion addressing the Veteran's lay statements regarding his hearing problems.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss was incurred during active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss are not service-connected, but his tinnitus is service-connected.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C, a seizure disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and right ear hearing loss. However, the evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the VA examiner found it less likely than not related to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because he does not meet the schedular requirements for a current disability, and the VA examiner found it less likely than not related to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is granted as there is credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors and a link between symptoms and service.