Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded all issues on appeal due to the addition of new VA treatment records and examinations. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also remanded as he was unable to complete an examination due to his hip replacement surgery.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The hearing loss is considered direct, while the tinnitus is secondary to the service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred during service and the Board finds that there is no causal connection between his military noise exposure and current hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral knee disability is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is etiologically related to his military service and grants service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, head injury, skin disorder (chloracne), and headaches are remanded due to a lack of VA examinations addressing these issues. The claims will be reviewed again with new evidence considered.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10% since July 27, 2011. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition during the appeal period.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims for service connection for a low back disability are remanded due to inadequate development.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military service, with noise exposure being a contributing factor.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, right knee disorder, and right ankle disorder due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus has been reopened. The rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss remains at 30 percent, but the case is remanded to determine if a higher rating should be assigned.

The Veteran's applications to reopen claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, hepatitis C, and cervical spine disability have been granted. The application to reopen the claim of service connection for left leg sciatic nerve disability has been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and internal and external hemorrhoids. The claim for a compensable rating for abscesses, perianal and right buttock is remanded.

The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Entitlement to a compensable rating for hypertension is denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is now service-connected and a rating of 10% has been assigned. The issue of entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is also remanded as it is intertwined with the initial rating decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 0 percent, the maximum rating available.,Tinnitus has been assigned a 10 percent rating and cannot be increased further under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to decide the veteran's claims for service connection due to her alleged in-service personal assault. The appellant must provide information about her service and any stressor involving a personal assault.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder is granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and lumbar spine disability are denied. Effective dates prior to July 27, 2012 for these disabilities are also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not caused by his in-service noise exposure, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, which include bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy. The Board has granted the TDIU claim based on these conditions.