Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been remanded due to new evidence indicating the Veteran may have these conditions related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable (0%) due to the puretone threshold average in both ears being below the threshold for a compensable rating. The Board found that the criteria for a higher evaluation were not met.

The Board has determined that the VA clinician's opinion is inadequate and a new etiology opinion must be obtained due to unclear standard used in audiometric readings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to his period of active military service, specifically due to in-service noise exposure. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The right ear hearing loss claim is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tobacco use disorder/smoking.,Service connection was not granted for diabetes due to the lack of evidence showing its onset during or related to active service.

The Board has remanded several issues including increased ratings for hearing loss and PTSD, effective date claims, and service connection claims. The Veteran's appeal is currently pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee OA, and right knee OA. The decision found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim for bilateral hearing loss. For left knee OA and right knee OA, the Board determined there was no nexus between the current disabilities and active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for a neck condition, but granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus. The decision on the neck condition is based on the lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board denied service connection for exposure to ionizing radiation, psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims for service connection for these conditions are all denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. For the period prior to August 30, 2016, his lower back disability is rated at 20 percent disabling. The claims for migraine headaches and a higher rating for the lower back disability since August 30, 2016 are remanded.

The Board has remanded two issues related to hearing loss: entitlement to a compensable rating for the left ear and service connection for the right ear. The Veteran's hearing loss in both ears is currently service-connected, but his right ear hearing loss was not shown to meet VA disability criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to unresolved issues regarding his service-connected left foot disability, kidney disorder, right ear hearing loss, spleen disorder, and nerve disorder. The Board has not made a determination on these claims as they are being returned for further review.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection claims, rating determinations, and the need for special monthly compensation based on the Veteran's need for aid and attendance.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted with an effective date of April 23, 2013. Service connection for a right eye disability and left eye disability are denied. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea are denied. Secondary service connection for headaches and acquired psychiatric disability (including an adjustment disorder and depressive disorder) aggravated by tinnitus is granted.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of an in-service noise injury or current diagnosis, and the Veteran did not provide any indication of symptoms related to these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. However, the Board found no current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for all other conditions.

The Veteran's petition for an earlier effective date for service connection for status post myocardial infraction was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and traumatic brain injury due to the Veteran's dishonorable discharge, and found that he did not have current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to TDIU. The Veteran needs to provide additional VA audiology treatment records, including those scanned into Vista Imaging.