Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service combat-related noise exposure. The claims were reopened due to new evidence showing continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating than 10 percent for the right wrist disability due to additional VA records not having been considered.

Your service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have already been granted, so the appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for a TDIU and SMC based on deafness are being remanded due to their inextricability with the claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The remand also includes obtaining a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's current hearing loss disability. The case is being sent back for another audiological examination.

An effective date prior to December 3, 2012 for PTSD is dismissed.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not rated higher than noncompensable.,Scars on the back, right axilla and right shoulder were rated at 20 percent after March 27, 2014.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and granted service connection for tinnitus. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability meeting VA compensation criteria. An initial increased rating of 30 percent but no higher for chronic sinusitis is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service. The VA audiologist will need to provide an addendum opinion considering the converted in-service audiogram readings and the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, heart palpitations, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD or another diagnosed condition), plantar keratotic lesions, and right-side nose scar as there may be outstanding VA treatment records that have not been associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, and no higher rating is warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings of his left knee injury and bilateral hearing loss, so the Board cannot consider these claims further.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, lower back disability, right knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The cases are remanded to obtain VA examinations and additional evidence.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to July 13, 2015 and granted a 10 percent disability rating thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a higher rating for his back disability and hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's separation pay was withheld from his VA disability compensation due to the laws and regulations that prohibit such withholding for involuntary separation or SSA withholdings.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral tinnitus and a compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss due to new evidence and need for further examination.