Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of hypertension, erectile dysfunction, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and PTSD. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete records. The claims will be reconsidered after all available records are obtained.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development, including an addendum opinion from a medical professional regarding the relationship between noise exposure during service and the Veteran's current conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss, left ankle sprain disability rating, and TDIU due to insufficient attempts in obtaining private medical records. A VA examination is needed for a proper assessment of these issues.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for respiratory condition and TDIU due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's right-hand carpal tunnel syndrome is being remanded for a VA examiner to provide an opinion on whether it is related to his service-connected residuals of a right ring finger fracture. His bilateral hearing loss is also being remanded for a VA examination to determine its current severity.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial ratings have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded three issues: eosinophilic esophagitis, psoriasis, and diarrhea.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to incomplete records from his private audiologist A.F. The VA will request these records and re-adjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of his service-connected disabilities. His special monthly compensation claim is also remanded as he has not provided updated medical records or an updated VA examination.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of left and right lower extremities. The claims for reopening service connection for respiratory disability, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss were granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and headache disability are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied reopening of claims for somnambulism, mixed personality disorder, head trauma history (including TBI), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that there is a 50/50 chance (equipoise) that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional evidence regarding employment impact and work absences related to the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided that a VA audiological examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral hearing loss disability, as it was not provided in this case.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for flat feet, hammer toe of the left second toe, and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to warrant a higher rating for flat feet or hammer toe, and no exceptional hearing impairment pattern existed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and COPD due to inadequate examination reports. The claims will be further developed with a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, shortness of breath, heart murmur, irritable bowel movements, and irritable facial skin. The Board found no current disability related to these conditions that began during or was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's right arm disorder is not service-connected as it was not caused by any incident during his military service.,The issues of left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss are dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing them on the record at his April 2017 Board hearing.