Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran's current hearing loss disability of the right ear is not shown to be incurred in or otherwise the result of his active service.,Service connection was also denied for dental disorder, including loss of teeth, for compensation purposes due to lack of evidence of a compensable dental condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and otitis media with perforated tympanic membrane, so the Board has dismissed these cases.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied as there is no evidence of an earlier claim or raised by the record.

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for hypothyroidism. Service connection was granted for poikiloderma of civatte.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left hip disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, low back disability, and depressive disorder have been granted. The decision also remanded the claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his acquired psychiatric condition, hearing loss disability, tinnitus, thoracic/lumbar spine disability, shoulder and knee disabilities, pes planus, eye disabilities, migraine headaches, acid reflux, pseudofolliculitis (PFB), hemorrhoids, pulmonary conditions, including COPD, and Meniere’s disease. The Board has remanded these issues for further action.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as they are no longer relevant.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of current evidence meeting VA compensation criteria.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as non-compensable throughout the appeal period, and thus he is not entitled to an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's hearing loss claim is being remanded due to the need for updated VA and private treatment records, clarification from a private audiologist regarding test methods used, and another VA audiological examination without hearing aids.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus and the Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both granted. Bilateral hearing loss is found to have begun during active service, while tinnitus is determined to be a symptom of the now service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been reopened, and both conditions are now granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether his pre-existing hearing loss was aggravated by service, and if any current hearing loss is related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and his military service. The claim is being returned for further development, including a new examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a respiratory disorder and increased rating claim for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The respiratory disorder was not shown to be related to service, while the hearing loss was granted an increased rating of 20% effective September 13, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss and sinusitis due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.