Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for hearing loss, hypertension, and PTSD due to outstanding medical records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability records.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim for service connection of right ear hearing loss is granted. The Board finds that the evidence submitted since the last final denial relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claim and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's right hand/wrist disability is granted service connection. His left knee and vision disabilities are denied, as well as his bilateral hearing loss claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, and therefore grants TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart disability, hypertension, cervical spine/ neck disability, low back disability, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral arms and hands, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral legs, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral feet disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, thyroid disability, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), and acquired psychiatric disorder to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), nervous disorder, anxiety, and depression.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, breathing problems, obstructive sleep apnea, myocardial infarction, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) due to incomplete VA examinations and lack of Social Security records.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not decided at this time.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, sleep apnea, and PTSD due to the need for further development of evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure likely caused his current hearing disability. The claim is reopened due to new evidence submitted since the previous denial.

Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and a 50 percent rating for PTSD with alcohol dependence are granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left shoulder osteoarthritis are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's VA treatment records need to be obtained, and a new VA audiological examination is required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss has been reopened and granted. His tinnitus is already at the maximum schedular evaluation, so he cannot receive a higher rating. The right eye disability claims are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection as they are at least in equipoise with the evidence of record.,A noncompensable rating is assigned for right hand laceration residuals, while a noncompensable rating is also assigned for right hand scar.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and nasal disability, as well as his claim for a TDIU rating due to inextricably intertwined issues. The remand requires additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus aggravated his bilateral hearing loss and whether any current nasal disorder is related to active service or is caused by his deviated septum.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on a need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including noise exposure. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The Board found in favor of service connection for headaches, but denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings need further review due to incomplete records. The case is being sent back to obtain missing VA treatment records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss.