Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder condition and left ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence supports these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable due to the audiometric test results not meeting the specific pure tone thresholds percentages required for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spondylosis, and right lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board requests additional medical records and examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for esophageal cancer, right knee and back disabilities, and right shoulder disability due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since November 2, 2010. The most recent VA audiometry findings show no greater than Level II hearing impairment in the right ear and Level III hearing impairment in the left ear.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the cases of bilateral hearing loss and anxiety are remanded due to need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability (torticollis) was previously denied in July 1971, and new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim.,Service connection for hyperlipidemia is not warranted as it does not constitute a recognized disability for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination reports and failure to consider aggravation of his current disabilities by other service-connected conditions. The claims are also remanded for further development regarding hearing loss, tinnitus, pes planus, and right shoulder disability.

The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss on an extra-schedular basis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are contemplated by the existing schedular criteria and there is no evidence of other functional effects related to difficulty hearing. The appeal was not about service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate November 2015 VA examination and the need for a new opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hearing loss is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a supplemental opinion by a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and depressive disorder) due to insufficient evidence. The claims will be further developed by obtaining additional information about in-service stressors and providing a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The appeal is now denied as new and material evidence has not been received.,Service connection for bilateral hand numbness is denied because there is no current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in either upper extremity.,The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus type II remains at 10 percent, as the disability is manageable with a restricted diet alone. The appeal is denied.,Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities does not warrant a compensable rating due to lack of evidence showing the need for insulin, oral hypoglycemic agents, or regulation of activities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable and his diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent. Both conditions are denied for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric testing did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss. Service connection was denied for otitis externa.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis, hypertension, and headaches is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied, with the effective dates set at August 20, 2016. The Board found no prior communication that could be construed as a claim before this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service acoustic trauma, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and right leg radiculopathy, but denied service connection for cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and elevated cholesterol levels.