Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic sinusitis, migraine headaches, allergic rhinitis, and mild traumatic brain injury residuals, render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's hearing loss prior to March 30, 2017 did not warrant a compensable rating. The claim for an increased rating since March 30, 2017 is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for myalgia of the bilateral lower extremities and an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss has been remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's claim for a separate schedular 10 percent rating for tinnitus in each ear is denied as the current 10 percent disability rating is the maximum schedular rating. The case of right ear hearing loss is remanded due to lack of recent VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence submitted since the September 2014 rating decision. The claim for service connection for arthritis of the joints is being remanded.,Service connection will be further evaluated for hearing loss, tinnitus, and arthritis of the joints based on the current medical evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and lumbosacral spine disabilities, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment beginning April 7, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spine with degenerative changes at L5/S1 due to a lack of adequate medical examination, particularly regarding whether his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected back disability. The claims for right ear hearing loss, left elbow and wrist disabilities, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, melanoma, and upper extremity carpal tunnel syndromes are all denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's esophageal cancer, which contributed to his death. The examiner is required to provide opinions on whether each service-connected disability contributed substantially or materially to death and if it aided in the production of death.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent prior to November 17, 2016 and denied a higher rating. After November 17, 2016, the Veteran was assigned a 30 percent rating for his bilateral hearing loss and this appeal is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for sensorineural hearing loss in the left ear and tinnitus in the left ear, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service. The decision also remanded the issue of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has found new and material evidence to support these claims. The appeals are granted in part.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is considered to be directly related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's initial claim for a rating of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was granted, and the current rating is increased to 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial ratings for various conditions have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU has also been denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as he does not have a current hearing loss disability that meets VA criteria.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection. The acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and depressive disorders) is denied service connection. A rating in excess of 20 percent for hemorrhoids is denied.