Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous instructions.

The Board dismissed the claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's PTSD is granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent, but not higher, for the entire appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions began during service and have been recurrent since then.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent since November 21, 2014. The Board found that the evidence did not show a compensable rating prior to this date or any higher rating from then on.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bilateral peripheral neuropathy due to new evidence provided by the Veteran. The claim for GERD is being deferred until more information can be obtained regarding the alleged contaminated water and food supply on board the U.S.S. Midway.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but has remanded the issue of service connection for a bilateral eye disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Veteran was not granted a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss or chronic otitis externa, and the Board found that he did not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to lack of substantial evidence regarding his employment history.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss, but denied for cervical spine DJD, hypertension, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left arm disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder. The TBI, equilibrium disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disease claims are also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as related to in-service noise exposure. The chronic sleep impairment is granted as secondary to the service-connected mood disorder. The low back and right leg disorders are remanded for further examination, while the left leg disorder remains remanded due to its interdependence with other issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right knee condition and bilateral hearing loss disability due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was not incurred during service and is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease, lumbar spine condition, and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection. The Veteran's myocardial bridge is being examined to determine if it pre-existed his service or was aggravated by herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disorder and low back disorder were denied, but the claim for new and material evidence for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, facial scar, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder have been granted service connection as they are deemed to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. Service connection for Squamous Cell Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma is denied. A 60 percent rating for Ischemic Heart Disease is granted, and the Veteran is also eligible for SMC under § 1114(s).

The Board has determined that the VA examiners did not adequately consider the Veteran's reports of noise exposure to loud printing presses during service when assessing his claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied because his audiometric test results did not meet the threshold minimum requirements for hearing loss disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385. The Board finds a new examination is necessary to assess the current extent of his hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his gunshot wound to the left forearm was denied. His service connection for bilateral hearing loss and posttraumatic stress disorder were granted, but he is still awaiting new VA examinations for these conditions. The Veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also remanded.