Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right hip DJD, left ear hearing loss, and PTSD. The claims for increased ratings are also being remanded.

The Veteran's right index finger disability and right ear hearing loss have been granted initial ratings of 10 percent each, effective from the date of service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and service, including under continuity of symptomatology. The Veteran's exposure to noise during service was noted but his post-service employment and activities were considered more significant in determining the cause of his current hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence for service connection of squamous cell cancer and hearing loss. The tinnitus case has been denied as the maximum rating under the applicable diagnostic code is already assigned.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left hand, right hand, and right foot hallux valgus. Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, migraine headaches prior to September 22, 2014, and hypertension have been granted service connection. The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral dysfunction, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and psychiatric disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral eye condition, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and acid reflux. The reasons given were that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further action on two issues: whether a November 1995 rating decision granting service connection for PTSD should be revised due to CUE, and whether May 1996, July 1996, and February 1997 rating decisions denying an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD should also be revised on the basis of CUE.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss as the Veteran's pre-existing condition did not worsen during military service and there is no evidence of aggravation.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service connected due to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and SMC have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The issues of retinopathy, ocular hypertension, and loss of sight are inextricably intertwined with the SMC claim.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for bilateral hearing loss and a painful scar are withdrawn. The claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is reopened due to new and material evidence, and the Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of bilateral patellofemoral syndrome related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient to bring his combined disability rating to 90 percent, with at least one disability rated 40 percent or higher. The Board finds that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and grants TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis, hearing loss of the right ear, and tinnitus has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for hearing loss of the right ear and tinnitus are denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service acoustic trauma and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and migraine headaches are granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. Service connection for a left-hand disability is denied, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected. The issues of left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected, with the Board finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. The knee disorder issue is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and back disorder were evaluated. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating for any of these conditions and remanded several issues including service connection for a left knee disorder, individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU), and service connection for a back disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and for a new examination. The increased rating claim is also being remanded.