Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for a right hand scar and remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss and TDIU. The decision on the right hand scar claim is based on lack of current diagnosis, while the hearing loss claim requires further examination to determine if it is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has increased in severity, and a remand is needed to assess the current nature, extent, and severity of this disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent since July 20, 2017. His bilateral hearing loss remains at 0 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left ear hearing loss, cervical spine condition, low back pain, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for left ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure causing current hearing loss and noting that the Veteran did not have a compensable degree of hearing loss within one year of service separation.

The Board granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left hand, osteoarthritis of the right hand, and hypertension. Service connection was denied for a cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not rated higher than the current levels, and service connection for a peripheral vestibular disorder is remanded due to conflicting opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's lay reports of observable symptoms are not considered in the current medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and determining the exact dates of his active duty. The claims for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right foot metatarsalgia, cervical spine disability, chronic myositis of the paracervical spine muscles, left shoulder disability, left arm disability, lumbar spine disability, chronic myositis of the paralumbar spine muscles, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded. The claim for acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss within VA standards and there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and arteriosclerotic heart disease due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeal involves his initial rating for myasthenia gravis, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to June 29, 2012, and an earlier effective date for service connection. The Board has determined that these issues require further review due to the need to address claims of CUE in a previous decision and the possibility of an extraschedular rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected. The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding right shoulder disability, TBI, right leg disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD).

The Board has remanded the cases of necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus for further development. The Veteran's necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum is rated at 60 percent, which represents the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 7821. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in service or related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for an earlier effective date for CAD and service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to procedural issues, including failure to notify the Veteran of scheduled examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected, and his major depressive disorder is rated at 30% effective from August 23, 2007.