Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, right ear hearing loss, hypertension, and eczematous dermatitis are all rated at their maximum levels. The claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a fistulotomy and denied the remaining issues. Service connection was established for residuals of a fistulotomy, but not for bilateral hearing loss disability, hypertension, viral infection, herpes, or diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is service-connected, as it was caused by noise exposure during active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted. The appeals regarding the evaluation of PTSD and remand for additional examinations are noted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran had in-service noise exposure and his current tinnitus is related to this exposure, granting service connection. However, the Veteran's hearing loss claim remains pending as a remand is required due to insufficient rationale provided by the VA examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining audiometric data and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's cause of death, pneumonia, was not caused by a service-connected disability. The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did contribute to his dementia, but it did not cause his pneumonia.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's cause of death was glioblastoma multiforme, due to bacterial pneumonia and acute respiratory failure. None of his service-connected conditions are considered the immediate or underlying cause of his death. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding substitution in claims and assessment of TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back and left knee disorders, right ear hearing loss, heart disability, hypertension, and scars have been denied. The Veteran was granted TDIU.,Service connection for depressive disorder has been established with an effective date prior to April 29, 2013.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for these conditions. The rating for his cervical spine disability remains at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded several issues including an increased rating for Osgood Schlatter's disease of the left knee, service connection claims for right knee condition, hearing loss, left eye condition, memory loss, alcohol dependency, PTSD and depression. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined with these matters.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for traumatic brain injury, cataracts, dental disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, hearing loss, right leg/thigh disability, left leg disability, left hip disability, left knee disability, and removal of the right ovary have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal to reopen her claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) has been granted.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, anosmia/loss of smell, loss of taste, status post sinus surgery, and sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current right ear hearing loss, pes planus (flat feet), or sleep apnea that is related to service.,The Veteran's flat feet were noted at entry into service and remained asymptomatic throughout his career. The VA examiner found no evidence of aggravation during service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and prostate condition. The claim for service connection of these conditions is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to outstanding VA treatment records and potential worker's compensation records. The Veteran is also required to undergo a medical examination to determine if his hearing loss or tinnitus are related to service.

The Veteran's left eye blindness is not service-connected as it was noted on entrance into service and did not worsen during service.,Bilateral hearing loss is service-connected due to in-service acoustic trauma, with current evidence showing the condition is at least in equipoise with its onset being related to service.

The Board has denied reopening the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of new and material evidence.