Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied as he did not file a formal or informal claim prior to January 2, 2009. The appeal seeking an increased rating for right ear hearing loss is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims before the Board could make a decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss as there was no evidence showing an in-service injury or a causal link to service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including hearing loss, congestive heart failure, hypertension, colostomy due to spastic colon and ulcerated colon, end stage renal failure, and the cause of death. The remand includes obtaining medical records from prior to 2001 and requesting a new VA clinician's opinion on continuity of service-connected conditions.

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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of recent medical evidence regarding the Veteran's right knee replacement.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss prior to August 1, 2017, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter, as well as his non-service-connected disability pension claim, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board found the overpayment of $10,121.40 was not properly created and therefore the debt is invalid, making the issue of waiver moot.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss disabilities. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied due to lack of a diagnosed PTSD. The decision is based on the absence of evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disorder, right ear hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus. The Veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,There is no clear evidence of record that the Veteran's current right hip disorder, right ear hearing loss, or bilateral tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable due to the severity of his hearing impairment, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure. The claim will be reviewed again with new medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient nexus opinion and need for additional audiometric testing.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The appeals for bilateral hearing loss, psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his noise exposure during military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his military noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's initial rating for left ankle DJD is granted at 20% throughout the appeal period. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable. The Board has remanded issues regarding service connection for right ankle disorder and a separate rating for associated non-LOM symptomatology.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.