Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of November 29, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, but granted service connection for tinnitus based on its presence during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left knee disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric condition. The decision found that new evidence did not reopen the claim for a left knee disability, and that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, while his claim for an initial evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure. The right ear hearing loss issue is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss. The VA examiner did not provide a clear explanation for the in-service shift in hearing acuity and the Veteran's lay reports of immediate onset hearing loss.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted due to exposure to loud noise during service and continuous symptoms post-service. The right and left knee disorders are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their relationship to service-connected back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus because there was no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during active duty, and the delay in reporting symptoms did not establish a service connection.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability, lung disability, back pain, hypertension, GERD, prostate cancer, and acquired psychiatric disorder are not service connected. The case is being remanded to obtain verification of herbicide exposure in Korea and to clarify the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be noncompensably disabling, as the average pure tone threshold in both ears is 64 decibels. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for tinnitus and remanded other issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for clarification of his lumbar spine disorder examination reports.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or confine him substantially to his dwelling and immediate premises, thus denying special monthly compensation benefits.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,New evidence has been submitted that relates fibromyalgia and bilateral lower peripheral neuropathy to service. The claims are reopened but not yet granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and perforated tympanic membrane are related to service. However, due to incomplete or insufficient opinions in the November 2012 VA examination, the issues of bilateral hearing loss and perforated tympanic membrane require further review.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and otitis media. The claims of service connection for lumbar spine disorder, erectile dysfunction, neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and residuals of a broken jaw are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has decided to remand three issues: service connection for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for sleep apnea, and a compensable initial rating for the Veteran's eye disabilities. These cases require further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of eye burns is reopened and granted.,Bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for a heart disability and DM II are denied, presumed based on herbicide exposure during service.,Glaucoma secondary to DM II is denied.