Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea need further examination and evaluation. The Veteran will be provided with new VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of his Parkinson's disease symptoms have been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot great toe disability, hearing loss disability, and tinnitus due to incomplete medical records and lack of VA examinations.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was initially diagnosed during active duty, and her tinnitus is linked to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disorder, bilateral cataracts, hypertension, psoriasis, peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities, and hearing loss. The appeals are related to secondary service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded to obtain a VA examination, while the claim for tinnitus has been granted.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was evaluated as Level V, resulting in a non-compensable rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating and denied the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting the claims for these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability, finding that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence. The appeal for service connection for skin cancer was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and insomnia, is granted as incurred in service. Bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, dysmenorrhea, and joint and abdomen pain are not granted due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) due to inadequate opinions in the VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to concerns about the current severity of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, which may have worsened since his last VA examination in April 2011. A new VA examination is needed to determine if he meets the criteria for a disability rating.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to Agent Orange exposure.,Cancers of the tongue and lymph nodes are being remanded for a VA examination to determine if they are related to Agent Orange exposure.,Cancer of the head is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to Agent Orange exposure.,An acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and sleep problems, secondary to tinnitus, is being remanded for a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a link between current hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues. The hearing loss and dermatitis cases are still under review, as is the right knee disorder, asbestosis, sleep apnea, and lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for various disability ratings and service connection claims, including those related to right ear hearing loss, a right ring-finger disability, low back disability, right knee disability, right foot disability, left foot disability, and acute retinal necrosis of the left eye.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence and to schedule the Veteran for an appropriate examination regarding his bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been service connected since October 1976. The VA has previously denied an increased rating, and the Veteran is requesting a new examination to determine if his hearing has worsened.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) were denied. The Veteran was also denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease prior to June 16, 2017 and in excess of 60 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are at least as likely as not incurred in service, granting service connection for both conditions.