Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if any of the service-connected disabilities are related to military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service connected. The left knee strain with tenosynovitis is denied due to lack of a compensable rating.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's hearing loss evaluation from 10% to noncompensable was not proper and restored the original 10% rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the remote date of the last VA examination and the Veteran's assertion that his hearing loss is worse than reflected by the July 2012 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete VA treatment records and a need for further examination. The issues of service connection for COPD and kidney disability are not within jurisdiction as they have not been perfected by the Veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened, and a more current VA examination is needed to assess the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had manifested tinnitus since leaving the Republic of Vietnam, and resolved any doubt in his favor to grant service connection.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for a back disorder was denied as no new and material evidence had been received showing a relationship to military service.,His application to reopen his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted, but the underlying issue remains remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for service-connected tinnitus was dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The case is being returned for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records, requesting information about employment history, scheduling an examination for bilateral hearing loss, and scheduling a VA examination for the low back disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 100% from April 30, 2015. The Board also granted TDIU prior to April 30, 2015.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service connected. The low back and bilateral hearing loss claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding new and material evidence. Service connection is also granted for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied service connection for fibromyalgia, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

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

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is granted as service connected due to exposure to loud noise during active duty, and the Board finds that reasonable doubt should be resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma caused by exposure to howitzer fire. The decision also notes that there was no indication of hearing loss within one year post-service and concludes that the Veteran's hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case for further action regarding service connection for PTSD. The effective date of an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss with Eustachian tube dysfunction remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for a left hip disability, left ear hearing loss disability, and respiratory disability as there was no evidence of continuity or recurrent symptoms since service separation.