Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left thumb, left ankle, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities due to new evidence submitted. However, these claims are still pending as they need further examination by VA medical professionals.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for Meniere's disease/vertigo and effective date claims related to peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and cardiomyopathy. The Veteran is also seeking a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of sufficient medical evidence. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in his need for aid and attendance and housebound status. Additional development is needed, including obtaining new examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to September 12, 2017, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter, as well as for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, have been dismissed due to the appellant’s withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, eczema, and dermatophytosis.

The Board has found that the July 2013 VA examination report is inadequate and requires a remand to obtain an addendum opinion from the examiner regarding whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to verified routine exposure to hazardous noise during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as Level III in the right ear and Level II in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating based on subjective complaints of difficulty hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, heart disorder, and vision loss. The effective date of the grant of service connection for right hand arthritis was denied as it did not meet the criteria.

The Veteran's hearing loss has improved, and another VA examination is needed to determine if it meets the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis under VA regulation.,Claims for increased ratings for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities were remanded due to insufficient medical evidence or lack of clear and unmistakable error (CUE).,Service connection claims for digestive disorder, joint pain, skin condition, traumatic brain injury, and right great toe bunionectomy residuals were also remanded.,The Veteran withdrew his claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and for a compensable disability rating for scars (claimed as neck fusion surgical scar, bunionectomy scar).

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the case to obtain a medical opinion regarding right ear hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, circulatory problems, type II diabetes mellitus, and diabetic neuropathy. The reasons given were that the disabilities did not manifest within one year of service separation or are otherwise unrelated to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for chronic blepharitis.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. Bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for updated VA records and a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current disability of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and that it is etiologically related to his military service, granting service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims for reopening of service connection for headaches, back condition, appendicitis, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder have been granted.