Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that VA did not fulfill its duty to assist in this case and has remanded the claims for further development of the Veteran’s service connection claims.

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

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions, and the evidence does not support a finding that they are related to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical DJD, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen previously denied claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and also denied his petition for an increased rating for bronchitis. The decision did not address any exposure basis or PACT Act provisions.

The Veteran's post-operative residuals of a total right knee replacement are granted at a 60% rating from September 1, 2013 to November 23, 2015. Bilateral hearing loss is denied for the period since October 18, 2013. The extension of a temporary total convalescent rating for right knee patellofemoral arthritis after February 28, 2011 is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA opinion and the need for updated treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims of hearing loss and tinnitus as there is insufficient evidence to determine if these conditions are related to service. The Veteran needs to provide VA treatment records and lay statements regarding when his symptoms began.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 40 percent, effective April 26, 2011. The appeal for a higher rating and an earlier effective date are both denied.,Insomnia has not been evaluated separately as it was not found to be distinct from the Veteran's PTSD.

The Veteran's hearing loss has worsened, and the VA examiner did not consider his functional effects or the private audiology reports. The Board finds a remand is needed to provide another VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing impairment is related to in-service noise exposure. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to his military service. The appeals are mixed, with some issues being granted and others not.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent disabling, which is the lowest possible rating. The Board found that his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis meeting VA disability criteria.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his service, specifically due to noise exposure during his time as a gunner in Japan. As such, the claim for service connection was granted.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted service connection. The right shoulder and back disabilities are remanded for further review.

The Board denied service connection for prostate, skin, lung, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disorders as there was no evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, right leg peripheral artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unemployable. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

Service connection is granted for a right hip disability, amputation of the second, third, and fourth fingers of the left hand, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) as secondary to service-connected right knee disability.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.