Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia, skin disability, cognitive disability, heart disability, head/neck knots, and left arm tingling/numbness. The Veteran's exposure to loud noise during service was not contested.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to November 1, 2017 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.,Service connection was established based on a combination of lay statements and medical opinions supporting the Veteran's reports of in-service noise exposure and post-service symptoms.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for tinnitus, back disability, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for a new VA examination and to obtain additional records, as well as to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disorder. The hearing loss claim is also remanded due to lack of recent VA treatment records. The wrist injury claim requires an increased evaluation based on functional impairment during flare-ups.

The Board denied a compensable rating for left inguinal hernia and remanded the issue of hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment beginning April 7, 2012. TDIU is granted as of that date.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), and the other issues were denied or not addressed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right foot, and right knee disabilities. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD). The case is being remanded to obtain an opinion regarding the relationship between PTSD and in-service harassment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected left ear hearing loss and TBI residuals, as well as the assignment of a total rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disability. The current ratings for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for tinnitus and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, IHD, left foot and ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have prevented him from maintaining substantially gainful employment for the periods where his combined rating was less than total.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's request for a higher evaluation for tinnitus is denied as the maximum rating of 10 percent has been assigned. The Board also remanded two issues related to hearing loss, left ear and right ear.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but dismissed the claims of service connection for bilateral hip condition and left leg muscle tear.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for a clothing allowance for knee brace and topical medication were denied. However, the Board granted a clothing allowance for his back brace due to credible testimony indicating it caused damage to his clothes.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred during a non-VA CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis at St. Cloud Hospital on September 2, 2014, due to prior authorization by VA.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for right wrist disability and back disability, but denied service connection for both conditions. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of sleep apnea, colorectal cancer and small intestine resection, olecranon spur, right elbow, and bilateral hearing loss.