Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including left arm disorder, right arm disorder, right wrist disorder, eye disorder, left ear hearing loss, and unspecified lung condition. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the new evidence submitted does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the underlying claim.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the Veteran's pre-existing condition not being aggravated by noise exposure during active duty. Service connection for hypertension is remanded as there was inadequate medical opinion and missing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's hearing loss and residuals of a perforated right eardrum are granted as service connected. The skin disorder (presumed herpes circinatus bullosus) and rubella claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for further examination, and the respiratory disability (chronic bronchitis) claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hepatitis C is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for an examination to secure a fully adequate opinion.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right lower extremity sciatica, left lower extremity sciatica, and his variously diagnosed psychiatric disability are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain is remanded due to the need for an examination to secure a fully adequate opinion.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes cavus and claw foot with hallux valgus of the great toe and first metatarsal hammertoes is remanded due to the need for an examination to secure a fully adequate opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on his service-connected right hand disabilities and rash of the scrotum are remanded due to incomplete medical records, lack of recent examinations, and need for additional testing.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but dismissed the appeal regarding bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not attributable to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not begin during or as a result of his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions, including heart disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cataracts, blood clots in lungs, sleep apnea, basal cell carcinoma, and dementia/memory loss. The reasons for remand include seeking additional medical opinions on etiology.

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

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his symptoms were consistent with a 60 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss because no new and material evidence was submitted to support the claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected due to continuous symptoms since service separation, meeting the requirements for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection, while his left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted a 20% rating. The left ankle disability and lumbar spine disability remain at their current ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current condition began during or was caused by his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, cardiovascular disease other than hypertension, left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, and a sleep disorder. The cases are remanded to obtain VA examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

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