Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD), and tinnitus due to inadequate opinions in the VA examinations. The Veteran is requested to undergo new VA examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for a hip disorder and remanded his claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and a psychiatric disorder due to outstanding VA treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate opinion regarding the relationship between current hearing loss and tinnitus and military noise exposure.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus are granted service connection. The right ear hearing loss disability is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for left knee pain, bilateral hearing loss, back disability, skin lesions, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's tinea cruris and herpes zoster were granted service connection. The Board also found that the evidence was at least in equipoise for his other conditions, including right ear hearing loss disability, costochondritis, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, psoriasis, heart disability, hypertension, IBS, cholecystectomy, and thyroid disability.

The Veteran's GERD is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The cases for prostate hypertrophy, bilateral eye disability, hypertension, and tension headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The back, knee, and psychiatric disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to clarify the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and respiratory disorder, including considering his in-service noise exposure and asbestos exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence being found, but the specific details about exposure basis or rating assigned are not provided.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran's representative provided a study about delayed and progressive effects on hearing following loud noise exposure, which needs to be considered in the new opinions.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected, while left ear hearing loss and a right arm condition are denied. The Board has also remanded for further development regarding upper torso and cervical spine conditions.,Service connection for an upper torso injury and a cervical spine condition remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service exposure to noise, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for bilateral mixed hearing loss at the March 2018 Board hearing.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than January 16, 2014 for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and for service connection for a pulmonary disability were denied. The Board also found that remand was necessary to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the condition and military service. Service connection for COPD is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.