Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition and its impact on daily life and employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. As a result, these matters are dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability of degenerative joint disease and denied the claim for an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss from June 25, 2010 to February 3, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 4, 2016 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss as of April 4, 2016 was denied.

The appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus is dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for a back disability and Hepatitis C, and these claims are allowed. Further assistance is needed to determine if there is a current disability related to service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as it did not manifest in service or within the applicable presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology is not established.,The appeal for service connection for right shoulder disability is remanded due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.,The appeal for service connection for right ankle disability is remanded due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.,The appeal for service connection for neck disability is remanded due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.,Further assistance is needed to determine if there is a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military noise exposure during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and migraine headaches are granted as service-connected, with effective dates based on the date of receipt of their respective claims.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence being added to the record since the last supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a foot disorder, an eye disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and a neurological disorder (now claimed as bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome). The Veteran is granted service connection for her foot disorder. Other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted. The claim for diabetes mellitus type II is remanded.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for hip spurs, spinal bone spurs, and heart condition. The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been dismissed. The issues of service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and his reported symptoms of unsteadiness, dizziness, spinning, or loss of balance.

The Board has remanded the cases for a VA audiological examination to assess the current severity of the service-connected bilateral hearing loss and its impact on employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's spouse was included as a dependent for the purpose of an increased benefit award effective as of January 26, 2015, when his combined disability rating was at least thirty percent.

The appeal of entitlement to a rating greater than 40 percent for degenerative changes of the lower thoracolumbar spine is dismissed. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability, right ear hearing loss, and nerve impairment in the lower extremities are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings. The Board found that the Veteran's hearing acuity, while severe, did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied for type II diabetes mellitus, hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, peripheral vascular disease, varicose veins, phlebitis/thrombophlebitis, embolism/thrombosis, proteinuria, impotence, and a skin disorder. The Board found that the evidence did not establish service connection for any of these conditions.