Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, examinations, and development of his claims. The hearing loss and tinnitus cases will be remanded solely for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left ear hearing loss is denied as the preexisting condition did not increase in severity during service. The right ear hearing loss rating claim is also denied due to a lack of evidence showing an increase in disability beyond its natural progression.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence of noise exposure during service. The claims will be reviewed with a focus on whether there is a nexus between current hearing loss and tinnitus and service, taking into account the conceded acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for updated medical records and an examination. The Veteran also indicated he has headaches, but this issue was not addressed in the decision.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran died before a decision could be made.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the appellant's claims of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, an increased rating for duodenal ulcer, and a compensable rating for hemorrhoids. The appellant was not provided with a statement of the case on these issues.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his hearing impairment was at worst level VI in the right ear and level VII in the left ear. The cause of death claim is also remanded due to an unreadable copy of the Veteran's death certificate.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss may be related to his service, but the relationship is not clear. The examiner should determine if it is at least as likely as not that the hearing loss was caused or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during the appeal period.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on in-service exposure to acoustic trauma and continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to a lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran must submit additional evidence to reopen these claims.,A TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a back disability, left shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, and seizures due to new evidence received since the last final decision. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of hypertension, skin cancer, and essential tremors due to a withdrawal request from the Veteran. The appeal for reopening the service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss was also dismissed as no new material evidence has been submitted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and dismissed the appeal for service connection of headaches. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and anxiety are remanded.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher initial evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the current disabilities are not related to in-service noise exposure or injury.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders have been granted service connection as they are aggravated by his service-connected back, neck and joint disabilities.,Cysts due to exposure to chemicals at Camp Lejeune have not been granted service connection as there is no evidence of a chronic disease associated with the exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss and consideration of his claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current hearing loss.