Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The claim for a back disability has been reopened, but further development is needed to determine its etiology. Other secondary service connection claims are also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right foot condition, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear was reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for circumcision scar was denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss require further examination to determine their current severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and hypertension due to additional development and adjudicative action. The claims will be reviewed again with consideration of all periods of active duty service, including National Guard service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), and hearing loss due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology during active service. The Veteran's claims are being sent back for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating.

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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current hearing loss. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for traumatic brain injury was remanded as there were no recent VA treatment records available.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to herbicides and service in Vietnam.,His diabetes mellitus, type II claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with his other claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to obtain relevant VA records. The Veteran's hearing loss will need to be re-evaluated, and all available records must be obtained.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is denied as not incurred in service. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as incurred in service.

The Board has decided that the VA audiological examination from January 2014 is insufficient and needs to be supplemented with additional records, particularly those from the Veteran's first period of service.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability has worsened since his last VA audiological examination in January 2016, and updated treatment records are needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board has taken jurisdiction over the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for left ear tympanic membrane perforation and associated hearing loss. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate reasoning in the previous VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's diagnoses are supported by medical evidence, his statements, and the confirmed in-service stressors and exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, specifically regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.