Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's noise exposure during service, and a request for an audiologist's opinion is made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no current evidence of a disability.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type 2, is denied as the evidence does not show that his condition requires daily insulin injections and restricted diet with regulation of activities.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for recurrent epidermal cysts with scars, recurrent dermatitis and pseudofolliculitis barbae is denied as there is no evidence showing disfigurement or disabling effects.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension due to the need for additional medical opinions and the possible existence of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been denied as new and material evidence was not received.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss disability in either ear.,Service connection for OSA is denied as it did not manifest during service or be related to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities are remanded due to lack of an opinion regarding their relationship to a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of bilateral hearing loss as there is insufficient evidence regarding its etiology and VA needs to schedule a VA examination for the Veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right shoulder disability were evaluated, with the Board finding that a compensable rating for hearing loss prior to March 9, 2017, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is not warranted. The Board also found that remand was necessary for further examination regarding his right shoulder disability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for a right ankle disability and an increased rating for left ear hearing loss due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an effective date of January 16, 2007. He is also granted a 100% rating for his PTSD and total disability compensation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC). The issue of an extraschedular TDIU prior to January 16, 2007 remains outstanding.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss. The rating for left ear hearing loss remains at noncompensable (0%) throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The effective date of service connection is not being granted as it was received on July 11, 2013.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including VA treatment records. The issues include service connection for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, COPD, and an increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, hearing loss (right ear), GERD, skin condition, radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a nervous condition. The Board also dismissed the claim for lumbago and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence.

The claims of service connection for depression/adjustment disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, pes planus, diabetes, and back disorder have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board finds that these conditions are not related to active duty service.

The Board has determined that the appellant is a helpless child of the Veteran and thus entitled to death pension benefits. However, her income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate for a helpless child throughout the relevant period. The appeal is REMANDED due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss are granted, but the issue of a compensable disability rating for his hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not service connected as it preexisted service and was not aggravated by noise exposure. The right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to its mild nature.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable since February 17, 2011. The Board has granted TDIU effective that date.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to March 14, 2013, in excess of 40 percent disabling prior to January 13, 2016, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter for bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service, specifically the exposure to acoustic trauma during his time as a Light Weapons Infantryman. The Board found that the Veteran's separation examination did not show any evidence of hearing loss, but the private audiologist provided sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran's current hearing loss and his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder NOS and depressive disorder NOS has been reopened, and the Board is granting this aspect of his appeal. The appeals for bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorders (including as secondary to tinnitus), and sleep disorder are being remanded.