Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination in September 2016. The claim is being remanded to obtain more recent medical records and schedule the Veteran for a new examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and service-connected right knee disability are granted. Service connection for a bilateral hip disorder, respiratory disorder, and brain disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to concerns about the adequacy of a previous VA examination and the need for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for compression fracture and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,Service connection was denied as there is no evidence that any of these conditions began during active service or are otherwise linked to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination in 2014, and he needs updated treatment records to support this claim. The Board is remanding the case for a new examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from July 26, 2007 to October 16, 2012. The Board finds the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions alone preclude the Veteran from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective January 12, 2016. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss due to lack of a current disability. The Veteran's back disorder is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and migraines due to incomplete VA medical records and a need for further development.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for an increased rating and the reduction from 10 percent to noncompensable for service-connected bilateral hearing loss with chronic otitis media with central perforation, right. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has denied service connection for residual cold injuries of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as well as for BHL and tinnitus. The denial is based on a lack of current disabilities associated with in-service cold injuries.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities.

The Veteran was granted TDIU from August 17, 2016 to November 7, 2017 due to his service-connected disabilities. Effective November 7, 2017, the issue of TDIU is moot as he now has a combined rating of 100%.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 10 percent prior to October 11, 2013, and at 30 percent thereafter. The Board found no evidence of a severe disability warranting higher ratings.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied as there was insufficient evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Board dismissed the petition to reopen the claim of service connection for hearing loss. The petitions to reopen claims for service connection for tinnitus, sinusitis, migraines, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) were granted. Service connection was denied for a left hip disorder, right hip disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and low back disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable due to the lack of evidence showing a compensable degree of hearing impairment in either ear.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, qualifying for special monthly compensation at the higher rate. He also qualifies for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his significant service-connected disability affecting both lower extremities.