Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the cases of hearing loss and tinnitus for further development as there is insufficient evidence to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claim for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to unclear dates of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The appellant's service connection claims for hearing loss and tinnitus remain denied.

The Veteran's clothing was damaged by a brace he uses for his service-connected left knee disability. The Board has granted payment of a clothing allowance for the calendar year 2014.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for osteopenia, cervical spine disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C, left upper extremity radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to lumbar spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to lumbar spine disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to lumbar spine disability. The Board also remanded the issue of a rating for service-connected lumbar contusion, myositis, and lumbar spondylosis in excess of 20 percent prior to May 17, 2012 and in excess of 40 percent from May 17, 2012.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and Guillain-Barre Syndrome need further examination and opinion to determine their etiology. The case is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD are remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and potential outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss is granted as the evidence shows continuous symptoms since service and noise exposure during service.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for right hand injury due to the Veteran's withdrawal request. The issues of increase rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease and compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted service connection as they are related to his military service. The Veteran's PTSD was also granted, but with a 30% initial evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for painful joints, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus was denied as the evidence did not show a current disability that began during or was related to active service.,Service records showed no complaints of joint pain or hearing issues. The Veteran reported having back pain but no abnormalities were found in her STRs.

The Veteran's claim for an initial, compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the schedular rating criteria adequately described his disability picture and did not meet the requirements for an extraschedular rating due to marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for residuals of left eye injury, bilateral hearing loss, and headaches was denied. The claims for service connection for low back disability, heart disability, diabetes mellitus type 2, traumatic brain injury, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and depression), and TDIU prior to October 11, 2011 were remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action on his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's initial ratings for service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been granted, but the rating for tinnitus is at its maximum. The claim for an increased rating for tinnitus has been denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable schedular criteria. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to concerns about the adequacy of the November 2017 VA audiology examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision is based on the Veteran's competent and credible statements regarding his experiences with these conditions during and after service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's wife's statement regarding his hearing loss affecting his daily life, and the need for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral shoulder disabilities, bilateral knee disabilities, loss of vision, bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction due to service connection. The issues are related to whether these conditions began during or were caused by periods of active military service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for asthma was denied as new and material evidence has not been received. The Board also remanded the issues regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Board has found that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete medical evidence.