Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease and right ear hearing loss due to Agent Orange exposure, as well as his request for a compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss. The VA is required to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations to determine if there is service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board denied the TDIU claim as there is no evidence that his service-connected conditions alone prevent him from obtaining or maintaining such employment.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's lay statements support his belief that he experienced hearing problems since service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee arthritis and hearing loss are related to his active service.

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated at 20% from February 28, 2015 onwards. The appeal for higher ratings prior to that date and in excess of 20% thereafter has been denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because he failed to complete the required VA Form 21-8940 and provide information about his employment history, educational background, and income. The Board found that the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of an examination.

The Veteran's service connection for hearing loss in the right ear, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss has been denied.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is also denied. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's death was not related to his active duty exposure, and there were no claims pending at the time of his death. The claim for service connection for the cause of death is remanded due to inextricability with accrued benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence submitted since the October 2009 rating decision. However, further development is needed as a VA examination is required to determine if current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and prostate cancer due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the initial ratings and service connection for hypertension, bilateral knee degenerative joint disease (right knee), bilateral hearing loss, and chest pain condition.

The Veteran's hearing loss has worsened since his last examination, and he uses a hearing aid. The Board is remanding the case to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for an audiometric evaluation.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and no higher. The scars on his knees are not compensable as they do not cause functional impairment or other disabling effects.,The Veteran’s periodic limb movements have been found to be severe, but the Board has determined that this condition should be rated under a different diagnostic code (8599-8103) which is best suited for involuntary movements during sleep. The current rating of noncompensable is maintained as the symptoms do not meet criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has not been established due to lack of audiometric test results meeting the requirements of 38 C.F.R. § 3.385.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims were not considered as having been filed prior to June 3, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision found no evidence of current disabilities related to the Veteran's military service.