Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, which may be related to service exposure to noise.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for right ear hearing loss, but finds in favor of granting service connection for tinnitus due to noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted. The skin disorder claim is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's hearing loss of the left ear is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding for entitlement to a compensable rating.,The Veteran's skin disability of the feet includes dyshidrotic eczema, tinea pedis, metatarsalgia, sesamoiditis, possibly erythromelalgia. The Board finds that remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination and medical opinion regarding service connection for these conditions.,The Veteran contends he is entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent disabling for his service-connected tinea pedis due to systemic therapy. However, the record does not indicate any specific systemic therapy has been provided.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to address the issues of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right ankle disability, left knee disability, and lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to unsuccessful scheduling for a VA examination while incarcerated.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The hearing loss claim was not granted, the psychiatric disorder claim resulted in a non-compensable rating, and sciatica of both lower extremities received initial ratings but were later denied. Service connection for tinea pedis is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and abscess (claimed as boils) due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's service connection claim for these conditions is not granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are related to noise exposure during service. The case will be reviewed with an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD have been denied. The claim for service connection for a heart condition has not met the criteria. The Veteran's PTSD was increased to 50% effective September 29, 2010. The claim for sleep apnea is reopened.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to noise from his work with refrigeration machinery. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for dyslipidemia and has remanded the remaining issues related to spine conditions, joint disorders, hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, GERD, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than April 13, 2016, for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no prior unadjudicated claim.

The Veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent disabling, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on the current evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent disabling, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and remands several issues for further action.

The Board has remanded the issues of reopening service connection for right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, right testicular spermatocele, left foot numbness and tingling, and right foot numbness and tingling due to lack of material evidence. The Veteran's lumbar back disability is rated at 10 percent.