Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for additional development to obtain missing service treatment records and provide a new VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable under the VA rating schedule, with a combined score of Level VII in the right ear and Level I in the left ear. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's statements regarding in-service noise exposure will be considered, and a new examination is required.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not manifest in service or to a degree of 10 percent within one year of separation and is unrelated to service.

The Board has decided the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to incongruent test results from during his active service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between current conditions and in-service noise exposure or other factors.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure, the conditions were not seen within one year of separation, and there is no continuity of symptoms. The VA examiners concluded that the current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other conditions like hypertension and hyperlipidemia, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 27, 2016. The Board granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence meeting VA's definition of impaired hearing. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than MDD, claimed as PTSD, was reopened based on new and material evidence showing potential PTSD symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and has remanded the issue of an initial compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine and mid-thoracic degenerative disc disease, residuals of a nose fracture (deviated nasal septum), and depressive disorder. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied. The case is remanded to address the issues of service connection for allergic rhinitis and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not shown to be related to his service, as there is no evidence of a hearing disability within the first year after separation and no medical opinion linking it to in-service noise exposure. The Board denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremities, schizophrenia with anxiety, and TDIU due to incomplete STRs and outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened, but the issues are being remanded due to missing medical records and need for further examinations.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a current disability as defined by VA regulations, and therefore his claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss in the left ear, but has remanded the issues of service connection for hearing loss in the right ear and a left ear disorder (including dizziness and recurrent otitis media).

The claim of service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and confirmation of Southwest Asia service.

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for left knee disability, left shin splint disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (secondary to a claimed left knee disability). The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss are remanded due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's hearing loss is remanded for further examination and opinion.