Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected tinnitus and that it was not caused by an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability as the Veteran's pure tone thresholds and speech recognition scores did not meet the numerical standards to be considered a disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was withdrawn, and the appeal is dismissed.,Service connection granted for left and right foot plantar fasciitis. The condition is considered to have first manifested during service.,Service connection granted for bilateral hearing loss. The condition is attributed to exposure to hazardous noise during service.,The Veteran's claim for rectal colon polyps, post-operative, remains pending as remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and requires additional opinions to determine if the Veteran's current left shoulder disability is related to service, and whether his bilateral hearing loss began in service. The claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of his left ear hearing loss disability and whether it is related to service-connected right ear hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a relationship to service, and the Veteran's current conditions were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 40 percent effective June 5, 2018. The Board granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further examinations. The issues include shin splints, left ankle disability, hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, and onychomycosis and tinea pedis of both feet.

Service connection is granted for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is remanded and will be evaluated based on the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate opinions in the January 2012 VA examination. A new examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of current disability or in-service noise exposure that caused the conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to their combined rating of 50% and his educational attainment and occupational experience.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for vertigo, including as secondary to the service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The evidence shows that the Veteran had exposure to loud noise during service and developed symptoms of vertigo later in life.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, rectal cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities (secondary to rectal cancer), and a sleep disorder. The claim for coronary artery disease is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical degenerative disc disease, hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep disability (including sleep apnea) are related to his service-connected conditions. The decision is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding these issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, back disability, bunions, bilateral hearing loss, sleep disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder) as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury, event, or disease that would support these claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20% prior to September 6, 2013 and then increased to 40% from September 6, 2013 to May 6, 2018. From May 7, 2018 onwards, the rating is denied.

The Board has decided to remand four issues related to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, recurrent nose bleeds, and a skin condition on the head and feet. The Veteran's active duty includes service in Southwest Asia. VA examinations are needed to assess these conditions.