Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal of the issue regarding an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. However, these issues are remanded as additional development is needed to determine the current severity of PTSD, etiology of sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, nature and etiology of bilateral knee disorders, and whether a TDIU should be granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic conditions within one year post-service, and the VA examiner concluded that current disabilities are not related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as there is no objective evidence demonstrating current hearing loss for VA purposes.,There is no current diagnosis of upper respiratory problems, and the Veteran has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of tuberculosis. The positive PPD test result was not considered a disability that can be service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for service connection of vision impairment and the effective dates earlier than February 27, 2013, for bilateral hearing loss disability and bilateral tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin disability other than tinea corporis, and obstructive sleep apnea due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to unclear evidence regarding current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, as well as insufficient information on the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's service in Vietnam is acknowledged, but further examination and opinion are needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to insufficient examination reports, lack of audiometric testing prior to discharge, and inability to assess functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his condition does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to September 21, 2017 and 50 percent thereafter. The effective date for the 50 percent rating remains unchanged at September 21, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus, but denied service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's exposure to noise during military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for CAD was denied, and he was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

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

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination and adjudication of CUE issues.

The Veteran's TBI and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) have been granted service connection. His headache disorder and right trigeminal neuralgia are not rated higher than the current 30% assigned, as there is no evidence of very frequent prostrating attacks or severe incomplete paralysis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of right knee injury are related to service. However, due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and continuity of these conditions during service, the claims for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of right knee injury (secondary to service-connected right ankle disability) have been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee, shoulder, and back disabilities.

The Veteran's thyroid disorder and bilateral hearing loss disability are being remanded for further evaluation due to new symptoms reported during her February 2018 Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, and the claims for COPD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and TBI are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral flatfeet, left ear hearing loss, COPD, and tinnitus. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, sleep apnea, and CHF are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss is attributable to service exposure to noise, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.