Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service connection for a back disability was reopened. The Board denied temporary total ratings based on hospitalization or convalescence due to his back disability, and did not find that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and hypertension are remanded for further examination and opinion as the current evidence is insufficient to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for left ear hearing loss. The appeals for respiratory disability and melanoma on the right side of the abdomen are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if the Veteran's conditions are related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to his PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding of current bilateral hearing loss, and the Veteran’s PTSD symptoms were considered mild or moderate with occasional decrease in work efficiency.

The Board denied an effective date prior to June 17, 2011 for the addition of the Veteran's spouse as his dependent due to the lack of increase in disability before that date.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and penile curvature with erectile dysfunction, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, depressive disorder, personality disorder, and PTSD.

The Board has identified multiple issues for remand due to the addition of new VA medical records not previously considered in the decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus, and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The decision also noted that there is no legal basis to award separate schedular evaluations for tinnitus in each ear.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating for various conditions, including rheumatism, bilateral hearing loss, asthmatic bronchitis, fractures of fingers, and a scar. The Veteran is to be provided with an opportunity to authorize VA to obtain records from Dr. R., and a VA examination is required to address the relationship between current disorders and service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions were incurred as a result of active service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board found that there is a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim, but further examination is needed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability that began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of a clear opinion on whether it is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board dismissed the appeals of service connection for right shoulder condition, right foot/ankle condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are presumed to be related to in-service noise exposure and pre-existing back condition respectively.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected, with the Board finding that there is current evidence of these conditions and in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.