Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensably disabling, and his left knee arthroplasty is currently rated at 30 percent. The case is remanded for further development including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 0 percent since January 2013, as his puretone threshold averages have not exceeded 35 decibels in either ear and speech discrimination scores are above 90%. The Board denied an initial rating higher than 0 percent.

The Board has determined that the August 2013 decision denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss is inadequate due to an insufficient nexus opinion. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and possibly obtain VA treatment records.

Low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities, as well as hearing loss and tinnitus are all granted service connection.,Hearing loss is rated under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of entitlement to compensable disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss, internal hemorrhoids, and dermatitis due to further development being needed. The Veteran testified that his service-connected disabilities have worsened since his last VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a left elbow injury, low back disability, left knee disability, and left wrist disability are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the earliest possible effective date is November 5, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for skin cancer, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss. Additional medical evidence is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since August 23, 2012. The VA determined that the Veteran’s hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable schedular criteria.

The Veteran's upper respiratory infections are found to be related to service.,Bilateral hearing loss is not considered disabling enough for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition. The propriety of reducing his rating from 30 percent to 10 percent effective June 1, 2013 is also under review.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims of service connection for COPD, chronic atrial fibrillation (claimed as associated with CAD), and an increased rating for CAD. Additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service or if they have worsened.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and private treatment records. The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus are being evaluated to determine if they either caused or aggravated his dementia.

The appeals for service connection on the merits of various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The appeal for substitution has also been remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than chronic adjustment disorder, with mixed features (which includes PTSD, anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and memory loss) is also denied. The Veteran's symptoms are accounted for in the existing rating for his service-connected adjustment disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his audiometric results do not meet the criteria for any higher rating.