Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including for a VA audiology evaluation to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service. The back, knee, sleep apnea, and sinus issues are also being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine due to conflicting evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left leg disorder, low back disorder, and right ear hearing loss. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of a hand or foot, permanent impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip. Therefore, the claim for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted a TDIU rating. The Board found the evidence supported that his service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure and combat stressors, respectively. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements about his experiences during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulation, and thus service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for which service connection can be granted, including arrhythmia, right ear hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, cognitive disorder, left ear hearing loss, IBS with GERD, hemorrhoids, and migraines. The claims are being remanded to allow further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his military service and there is no evidence of a chronic disease during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with the most recent audiometric test showing a combined rating of I in the right ear and IV in the left ear. The Board finds that this does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 7, 2016 for the service connection of various conditions including diabetes mellitus and its complications. The Veteran's original claim was filed on that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a heart disorder including coronary artery disease, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and insomnia due to outstanding VA treatment records and further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The remaining issues are related to back injury residuals, COPD, erectile dysfunction, chloracne, skin cancer, and neuropathies of the hands and extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to in-service loud noise exposure. The decision is based on the presumption of chronicity under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b).

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding her active duty and National Guard service, particularly concerning ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA periods from 2003 to 2009. The appellant must provide verification of these periods and any related treatment records.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence linking his current hearing loss to his military service or any in-service noise exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a relationship between the Veteran's in-service acoustic trauma and his current disability.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the severity of the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae, whether he has an additional disability due to VA treatment in 2010, and the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder, hip, great toe, cervical spine, hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities. The Board also requires a new examination for these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent rating based on multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities is dismissed. The appeal of his claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and chest pain due to undiagnosed illness are granted.