Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right arm disability and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for whether new and material evidence was submitted to reopen service connection claims, as well as the claim of entitlement to cause of death. The appellant must clarify her intention regarding substitution or accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are related to noise exposure during active duty training (ACDUTRA) periods in the Army National Guard.

The Board has granted the Veteran's applications to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is at least a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims with new evidence. Service connection was also granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen his hypothyroidism and sleep apnea service connection claims, and the arthritis, back condition, neck condition, high cholesterol, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, prostate cancer residuals, coronary artery disease, scar due to coronary artery bypass grafting, scar due to radical prostatectomy, PTSD, and rating increase claims have all been denied.

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated at zero percent, as the audiometric test results do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is related to his military service despite a VA examiner's opinion. The decision gives the benefit of doubt to the Veteran.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to noise exposure during service, while his tinnitus began during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to an inadequate VA examination. The examiner is asked to provide a new opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, diabetes, heart disorder, left leg tumor (prostate cancer), vision disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and sleep apnea were not incurred or aggravated during service. The Board found no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and military service.,There is insufficient evidence to presume exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam or Korea.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions, including tinea cruris, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disability, and a cognitive disability. The issues have been returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further investigation and clarification of her incarceration status, as well as an audit of her pension account. Additionally, there is a need to ensure proper notification regarding her right to appeal the overpayment of $18,692.07 in pension benefits.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable under the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities, and a higher rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder is not reopened due to lack of material evidence. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression, secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss is granted. Service connection for hypertension is denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is set at March 30, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating for various conditions, including low back disorder, bilateral foot disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), and bilateral hearing loss. Additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service or events therein.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not shown to be related to his military service.,His left shoulder, right shoulder, low back, multiple joint pain, and eye disorder (claimed as lack of depth perception) conditions are also not shown to be related to his military service.

The appeal for service connection for bipolar disorder claimed as memory loss is dismissed. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cataracts of both eyes, obstructive sleep apnea with CPAP (claimed as sleep apnea), arthritis of knees, bilateral, arthritis of shoulders, bilateral, DDD at C4-5, C5-6, and C6-7, spondylosis with foraminal impingement at C5-6 and C6-7, claimed as arthritis of the neck, right shoulder tendonitis, tendonitis of both wrists, and spurs in fingers of both hands is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and chronic thoracolumbar strain as they require further examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to outstanding records not being associated with the VBMS and Virtual VA/Legacy files. The appellant served in the Coast Guard Reserve from 1974 to 1978, but his records are missing. Additionally, Delta Airlines' 1978 hearing test record is needed.