Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded. Additionally, the earlier effective date assigned for this increase remains in appellate status and must be addressed by issuing a SOC.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated at two points during the appeal period, with average pure tone decibel levels of 28 for the right ear and 18 for the left ear. These results do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence received after the May 2016 SOC, including VA treatment records and a January 2017 VA examination. The issues of service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, and PTSD are being reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, migraine headaches, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effects of these disabilities.

The Veteran's hearing loss rating was restored to 30 percent effective June 1, 2017. A 40 percent rating for his hearing loss is granted since February 16, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being requested to be evaluated again with additional medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for residuals of left TKR is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not show severe painful motion or weakness in the left knee, which would warrant a higher rating under DCs 5055, 5256, 5261, and 5262.

The Board denied service connection for chronic myeloid leukemia and denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. §1151 for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to VA treatment in October 2006.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as new and material evidence was not presented. Service connection for low back pain and right hand mass were also denied due to lack of a current diagnosis or link to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied, with a 20 percent rating effective February 24, 2018. The effective date of the initial grant of service connection is January 22, 2013.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to noise exposure during active duty. The case is returned for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional pertinent evidence, specifically the results of an audiometric evaluation conducted in September 2012.

The Board has found that further development is necessary to verify the Veteran's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right ear retracted tympanic membrane, hernia repair, right knee disability, and low back disability are all remanded for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disability, and left knee disability as the evidence did not establish a nexus between current disabilities and service.,There is no credible finding of arthritis in either knee within a year after separation from service, thus there is no basis to presume service connection for arthritis.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not attributable to service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizophrenia, and chronic pain syndrome, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. Headache disorder and memory loss disorder are also not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and are related to his military noise exposure. Service connection was also granted for tinnitus.