Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of foot numbness, and the Board finds that it is less likely than not related to his service-connected left ankle strain.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing impairment did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee bursitis, right knee bursitis, lumbosacral strain, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss. Service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is also granted.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and whether the entrance examination hearing test was clearly and unmistakably an accurate representation of his hearing at the time of entrance.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as the last adequate audiological examination was conducted over four years ago and there are recent medical records indicating possible increased severity.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, with no evidence of an exceptional pattern or service-connected condition aggravating his pre-existing hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment prior to October 27, 2015. The Board found that he is entitled to an extraschedular TDIU effective December 16, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining claims on appeal are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a right shoulder condition. The Veteran's service treatment records and VA examination do not provide sufficient information to determine if his current right shoulder disability is related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to acoustic trauma during his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to in-service noise exposure. The TDIU claim is also granted prior to June 5, 2017, due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, increased ratings for thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease and migraine headaches, and an increased rating for PTSD and TBI with dizziness are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence since the last statement of the case.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back disability and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected due to noise exposure during military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a skin condition and bilateral hearing loss, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and his service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, a bilateral leg disorder to include varicose veins, and athlete’s feet. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.