Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right ear hearing loss did not have its onset in service or within a year of his separation from service, and is not otherwise etiologically related to active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for gout was withdrawn by the Veteran.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were both denied as there is no evidence of current disability within one year after discharge from active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the issues of service connection for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to potential medical opinions needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that her hearing loss is unrelated to any noise exposure during active duty service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but remanded the claim of service connection for hemorrhoids due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 1, 2015 and in excess of 10 percent since that date. The reduction from 20% to 10% was found proper based on improvement demonstrated by VA audiological examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability. The appeal is also remanded for additional examinations and rating determinations regarding his service-connected cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left shoulder disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder, NOS).

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, left foot disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to post-service events rather than military service.

The Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee is granted a 10% evaluation prior to September 28, 2012. For the entire period on appeal, he is granted a 10% evaluation for his patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee. The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation (10%) for his left ear hearing loss disability remains unchanged.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder) are now pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, which is related to service exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service treatment records and outstanding private and VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right ankle disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence to support these claims. The decision also noted that an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the period from November 17, 2011 to March 15, 2016, and in excess of 40 percent from March 16, 2016, forward is remanded.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims except for the Veteran's TDIU claim, which was granted.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus cannot be earlier than June 12, 2013. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule him for examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss, heart condition (hypertension), and hay fever is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with a numeric designation of level III. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives and for obtaining additional medical opinions.