Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination and the opportunity to submit any outstanding audiological treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and sleep apnea due to inadequate VA examinations. The claims are being returned for further development.

Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's eczematous dermatitis remains at a maximum schedular rating of 60 percent, as he does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under alternative diagnostic codes. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and depression) is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not combine to preclude substantially gainful employment, as the VA examiners found that her conditions do not prevent her from performing sedentary work.

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

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hearing loss due to new and material evidence. However, it is denied as there is no competent medical opinion linking the current hearing loss disability to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's exposure to noise during service resulted in current tinnitus. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss as it did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but the evidence does not meet the criteria to establish a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD has been reopened, but the evidence does not meet the criteria to establish a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral knee disorders, and lumbosacral spine disorder have all been reopened. The additional evidence raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lung scarring, IBS, and familial tremors due to a lack of nexus between the conditions and service. The Veteran's exposure to noise during service was conceded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on various conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings in most cases.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease, bilateral hearing loss disability, and hypertension. The Veteran's vision loss claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include left shoulder, back, bilateral knee, and hearing loss/tinnitus disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination and opinion as the VA examiner's etiology opinion is inadequate.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence supports reopening the claims. The Veteran's current conditions are considered to be related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and depressive disorder. The Veteran's current conditions were not related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining issues due to lack of VA treatment records, in-service noise exposure documentation, and other necessary development.

The Veteran's appeal regarding tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.