Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board previously denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss on an extraschedular basis, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court) vacated and remanded this issue due to concerns about the adequacy of the schedular criteria in considering symptoms like earwax buildup and bleeding discharge.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the evidence did not show a current disability related to in-service noise exposure, and there was no showing of continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetic retinopathy of the right eye, neuropathy of the left hand, and PTSD are granted. The remaining issues (neuropathy of the right hand and psychiatric disability other than PTSD) are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The claims include bilateral residuals of broken toes, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a broken nose, shingles, psoriasis, and a jaw disability (including TMJ, bruxism, and residuals of a broken jaw and broken front teeth).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, so his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to her service-connected tinnitus.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to her bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to her active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because he does not have a current disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes due to these service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing service treatment records and inadequate medical opinions. The claims will be reconsidered with new evidence.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection and initial ratings for various conditions due to additional VA outpatient medical records being added to the file since the last adjudications in March 2015. These records are pertinent to all issues on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right ankle disorder, and right knee disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions during service or at any point thereafter. Obesity was also not considered a disease or disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus have been granted service connection. The Board has found that the Veteran does not currently have a right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, stomach/back skin rash, hair loss, recurrent tension headaches, and occasional sleep problems is remanded due to lack of medical evidence.

The Veteran's hearing loss and knee disabilities are remanded for further examination to determine their etiology and severity.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating and an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's kidney disability, diagnosed as chronic kidney disease, is granted. The bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to service. Service connection for gout and endocarditis are remanded due to lack of a VA examination.,Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is likely based on the diagnosis of gouty arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran will be provided with additional time to submit private medical records, and a VA examination will be scheduled.

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