Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has dismissed the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus due to the appellant's withdrawal. The issues of a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, TDIU, and the propriety of reducing the rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss are all remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new medical opinion regarding whether his pre-existing hearing loss disability was aggravated during his third period of active duty service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence received since the February 2008 denial. However, both claims are still pending as they have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for right ear hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and entitlement to a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for a bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

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.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination in June 2015, and a new examination is needed to determine the current severity of this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The Board found that the current disabilities were not incurred in or due to his military service, but rather resulted from hazardous noise exposure during his Army National Guard service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed. The Veteran's claim for tinnitus has been granted, as it is presumed incurred in service. The Veteran's claims for a left shoulder disability and psoriasis have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 28, 2010, and a higher initial rating for Meniere’s disease with hearing loss and tinnitus was denied. The Board found that the earliest communication indicating intent to apply for service connection for Meniere’s disease was received on April 28, 2010.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disability due to new and material evidence. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder) are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left ankle disability. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination for the left ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and a heart disorder have been reopened. The Board finds that new evidence supports the reopening of these claims, but does not find sufficient evidence to grant service connection for any of them.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand orders and an insufficient VA examination. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being reviewed again for proper consideration of his in-service noise exposure, including from the rifle range.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were granted, but the Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The Appellant's hearing loss is being reviewed again as part of this process.