Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection, rating assignment, and effective date issues.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted in October 2012, and he is now seeking an increased rating.,For his right knee patellofemoral syndrome (post-arthroscopic repair of meniscus tear), cervical spine degenerative spondylosis with disc protrusion, residual scar, right knee, radiculopathy in the left upper extremity, and radiculopathy in the right upper extremity, he is seeking increased ratings.

The Veteran's low back disability is now rated at 40 percent effective March 3, 2010. Other claims for increased ratings and service connection are also granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent disabling due to the average decibel loss in both ears being at level I, which corresponds to a zero percent rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and bilateral hearing loss. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, increased coronary artery disease rating, and PTSD were denied. The decision also noted that the Veteran's heart condition has been consistent throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left leg numbness associated with a bilateral hip disability. The remand requires obtaining updated VA clinical records, scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions, and considering whether they are related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of recent medical records, and to obtain an updated VA audiological examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right knee disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus due to conflicting medical opinions and insufficient evidence. The Veteran's right knee condition is being examined again to determine if it was caused or aggravated by his left knee disability. His hearing loss and tinnitus are also being evaluated to see if they were related to in-service noise exposure.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issue of an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete development of evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder NOS is rated at 50 percent, but no higher. The Board has also remanded several other issues including service connection for sensorineural hearing loss in both ears, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not established, and his bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea are also not established. The Veteran was granted service connection for chest pain (lump in sternum).,Service connection for the remaining conditions has been denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the functional impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability, and for obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking the current disability to military service, including noise exposure. The Veteran's PTSD was also remanded for a new evaluation as his symptoms have worsened since the last examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 40 percent since April 21, 2017. The Board finds that a higher initial rating is warranted and remands the case for another VA audiometric examination to determine the current level of severity.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability and left ear hearing loss due to insufficient evidence. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including arthritis, left wrist disability, bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, malaria, sleep disorder, hypertension, rashes, diabetes, stroke, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression).

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss prior to April 30, 2018 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss on or after April 30, 2018 remains pending and is being remanded.,The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids are currently rated as noncompensable. A VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his hemorrhoids.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also pending and is being remanded.