Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and conflicting medical opinions. The issues of bilateral hearing loss, depression as secondary to hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, and sleep disturbances/insomnia as secondary to GERD are all being reviewed.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence submitted since the March 2011 rating decisions. However, both issues are remanded as additional medical opinions are needed regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus and their onset during service.

The Veteran is granted an annual VA clothing allowance for the year 2014 due to use of L1820 knee braces with hinges, but denied a clothing allowance for use of a TENS unit. The decision is based on evidence showing that the knee braces cause wear and tear to outergarments like pants, while the TENS unit does not.

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

The Board has decided to remand the cases of increased ratings for right wrist disability and left ear hearing loss, as well as service connection for right ear hearing loss due to new evidence indicating worsening symptoms. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine current severity.

The Board has found that service connection is warranted for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, but the case must be remanded to obtain a VA examination regarding residuals of cold injury to the bilateral feet.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and unclear information regarding his alleged hospitalization in Germany.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was remanded due to insufficient evidence showing his inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The Board requested additional medical examination to assess the impact of IBS, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss on his employability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA could provide supportive evidence for some of the Veteran's claims.

Service connection is denied for a right ear hearing loss disability, hyperlipidemia, asthma, hypertension, major depressive disorder, left hamstring tendonitis, and mechanical low back strain.,The Veteran's claims are remanded to obtain additional VA examinations and treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a link between the Veteran's current hearing loss and his military service, including noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was evaluated at a 10 percent rating prior to July 6, 2015 and at a 20 percent rating from that date. The Board found the evidence did not support higher ratings.

The Board denied service connection for a skin condition due to herbicide exposure and denied entitlement to a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. However, additional development is needed as a VA examination is required to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, both of which are determined to have been incurred in the line of duty during the Veteran's ACDUTRA (active duty training) service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of such a nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to missing records and need for further examination. The claims will be reconsidered with additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be further developed and a new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected due to continuous symptoms since service separation, meeting the requirements for presumptive service connection under VA regulations.