Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and clarification of the Veteran's work history, particularly since 2010. The hearing loss case will also require a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was reopened due to new and material evidence, and the Board has now granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss and has also granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. The issues of service connection for these conditions are now resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD was denied, and the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and individual unemployability were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for shrapnel wound residuals, skin disability (including as due to herbicide exposure in service), and peripheral artery disease (including as due to herbicide exposure in service).

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence showing the condition was caused by or related to military service.,The Board also denied service connection for sleep apnea, concluding that there was not clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing sleep apnea prior to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is not enough evidence to support a link between his in-service noise exposure and his current hearing loss.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for service connection, except for the claim of an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder). The Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are associated with his active duty service in Korea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence to support these claims based on lack of current disabilities or medical records indicating such conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is found to have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, which he contends began during his military service. Given the continuity of symptoms since service and credible reports from the Veteran regarding noise exposure in service, the Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral hip disability, and bilateral ankle disability are all granted. The decision specifically addresses the bilateral hearing loss claim, finding that it is related to active service. For the bilateral hip and ankle disabilities, the Board determined there was no nexus between these conditions and either active service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes and the Board finds that his bilateral hearing loss is not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since March 26, 2014. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and a disability manifested by numbness and pain in the buttocks and lower extremities, to include as secondary to a low back disorder due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The TDIU claim for the period prior to September 30, 2015 was denied as the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following any substantially gainful employment.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and earlier effective dates for major depression with anxiety disorder and tinea pedis. The Veteran's right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities were granted service connection based on in-service injuries.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for a new VA audiological examination to determine the current severity of his disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded due to inadequate examination and failure to address in-service noise exposure.