Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left shoulder disability has been dismissed.,Service connection for hypertension was denied as there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year after service.

The appeal is granted as new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, right shoulder disorder, and bilateral hip disorders are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran will need to provide any outstanding service medical records and a new VA examination will be scheduled.

The Veteran's combined rating is 70 percent, which does not meet the requirement for permanent and total disability to qualify his wife for CHAMPVA benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability. The AOJ previously reduced the rating from 10% to zero percent, and now the Board has decided that further development is needed before deciding whether he is eligible for a higher rating.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted service connection, and he is also awarded special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ due to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded for further evaluation and additional medical records to be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal was not perfected due to a late substantive appeal. The issue of entitlement to service connection for headache disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, along with other service-connected conditions, have resulted in a TDIU from August 23, 2012 to January 14, 2014.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral pes planus due to the Veteran's pre-existing condition that existed prior to service. The Veteran's hearing loss is remanded as there may have been a material change in his hearing since the last examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hiatal hernia, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression were decided. The claim for hiatal hernia was withdrawn by the Veteran. Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression. Right ear hearing loss is denied. Compensation claims under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are remanded for further review.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities do not meet VA criteria for a disability or are not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis of the feet, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction were denied.,Service connection claims for these conditions were also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU, as well as his request for a combined disability rating of 60 percent effective June 21, 2001. The issues have been referred to the AOJ for consideration of CUE in a November 1991 rating decision regarding service connection for right hip and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right foot hallux limitus, and left foot hallux limitus have been denied as the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of these conditions or their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board denied service connection for chronic muscle spasm of the right leg, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic sinusitis, dermatitis (claimed as skin rash), and headache (claimed as chronic headache).,There is no current evidence to support a diagnosis of chronic muscle spasm of the right leg. The Veteran's symptoms are not related to service.,The Veteran has sensorineural hearing loss that did not begin during service or be related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,Tinnitus was first reported over 25 years after separation from service and is likely a symptom of the Veteran’s existing hearing loss.,Chronic sinusitis is not linked to service as there are no symptoms documented during service. The current diagnosis is too long after service for a link to be established.,The Veteran's dermatitis (claimed as skin rash) was not present during service and is not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no service connection issues remain for consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 24, 2007. The Board also granted a TDIU rating effective from August 24, 2007.