Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of documentation.

The Veteran's tinnitus and ischemic heart disease claims are remanded for further evaluation. The hearing loss claim is also remanded, but with a request to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and mouth injury residuals due to incomplete medical opinions and inaccurate factual predicates.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensably disabling (0%) based on VA audiometric evaluations conducted in April 2014, September 2014, and October 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating due to consistent audiometric test results.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus is dismissed. The Board also remanded the case to consider his claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's petition to reopen service connection for glaucoma has been granted, but the claim remains denied. The Board has also remanded cases related to bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, due to incomplete records. Service connection for malignant melanoma of the left forearm and right leg is also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, head injury, cervical spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, lumbar and thoracic spine disabilities, gastrointestinal problems (gastritis and GERD), bronchitis, essential benign tremor, and bladder dysfunction. The decision found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence of a current disability or a link between his in-service exposure and any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to conflicting medical opinions and insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including exposure to noise during military duty. As such, the appeal for service connection is granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric condition should be remanded due to insufficient evidence. Additional development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records, conducting a VA examination, and reviewing medical research.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, reduction of rating following right knee total knee arthroplasty, and TDIU due to service-connected right knee disability. Additional evidence is needed from VA facilities and medical records are required for a comprehensive evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or related to service, as there was no significant threshold shift during service and normal audiometric testing at separation. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding a relationship between the current disability and military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations. The hearing loss, tinnitus, kidney condition, and PTSD claims are all subject to further review.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a TDIU prior to October 22, 2009 is being remanded for further consideration. The Board finds that the Veteran may be unemployable due to his service-connected PTSD and has referred the case to the Director of Compensation Service for an initial determination on whether an extraschedular award based on TDIU should be assigned.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the claim was filed in May 2012 and the first evidence showing entitlement arose in September 2012. The effective date of the award is set at May 17, 2012.

The Veteran's appeals on various service connection claims have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is about determining and adjusting the rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability. The case has been remanded to obtain updated medical records and schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claims for service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), and right biceps strain with scar are granted. Service connection for a low back disorder and residuals of TBI are remanded.