Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board dismissed the appeals of service connection claims for heart disorder, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and sepsis. The right knee disability, COPD, and bilateral hearing loss were granted as incurred in active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period.,The Veteran was granted a temporary total evaluation for convalescence after his cervical spine surgery, but this has since expired. The Board finds that more than 2 months of convalescence were not required and thus denies the extension of the temporary total rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran’s claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and bilateral knee tendonitis. The Veteran's July 2013 VA audiological examination was not adequate, and a new VA audiological examination will be scheduled on remand.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to a service-connected psychiatric disability, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and the request for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus.,No effective date was assigned for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, left ring finger disability, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings.,No new evidence has been submitted to reopen service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically whether PTSD is related to his combat experience in Vietnam. Additionally, updated treatment records are needed, and an examination is required to assess the nature and etiology of hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, while right ear hearing loss is not. The bilateral eye disorders have been rated as a combined 30 percent since February 28, 2009.

The Board has remanded both claims for additional development and consideration.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be incurred in and caused by his military service, with the Board resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus based on continuous symptoms since service separation, which meets the criteria for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b).

The Board denied increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's condition did not warrant higher ratings based on his audiometric test results.

The Board dismissed the appeals for hearing loss and IBS with GERD. The claim of service connection for fibromyalgia was reopened due to new evidence, and it is now granted. Service connection for hemorrhoids is also granted.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee and low back disabilities, finding no evidence of a nexus to service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied because the evidence does not show a current disability of left ear hearing loss that meets VA compensation criteria.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability, hearing loss, and residuals of hepatitis B due to lack of evidence showing chronic conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is not related to his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, as he is able to perform his daily activities independently.

The Veteran's right elbow disorder, cervical spine disorder, left hip disorder, and left leg disorder are all remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss (right ear) and right ear disorder are also remanded for further examination and opinion.,Additional records from the National Guard, private medical providers, and military hospitals are needed to verify the Veteran’s service periods.

The Veteran's hearing loss is denied as it did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period and continuity of symptomatology is not established. The disability is also not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.