Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a higher than 60 percent rating. However, he is granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, but granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of low back strain, vertigo, and chronic sinus disability are remanded.,Service connection is being remanded for the Veteran's claimed conditions as they may be related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation due to unclear issues, potential additional VA treatment records needed, and need for a new examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure and he is granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The hearing loss evaluation is remanded as the Veteran has asserted worsening of his condition.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right ear hearing loss caused by an August 2009 surgery at the VA Medical Center in Buffalo, New York because it was not due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's service-connected ear condition has been rated as chronic suppurative otitis media. The Board granted a 10 percent rating for this condition from July 23, 2013 to November 7, 2016. However, the case is remanded for further evaluation of his bilateral hearing loss and TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion and new evidence is needed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board denied service connection for these conditions as there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis of such and the Veteran did not have a compensable degree of hearing loss within one year of discharge from service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing impairment is related to his active duty service. The appeal was successful.

The Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disorder are granted as direct service connection. The low back disorder is not found to be secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's PTSD, hearing loss, and sleep apnea. The primary focus is on determining whether these conditions are service-connected or warrant increased ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no causal connection between his in-service noise exposure and his current hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus was denied in a June 2009 rating decision and is not reopened.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for acid reflux, to include as secondary to PTSD, has been reopened with the submission of new evidence. The appeal is granted to this extent only.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in a July 2013 rating decision and is not reopened.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened with the submission of new evidence. Service connection is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition has been granted as it is presumed related to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, as it was likely caused by noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions regarding service connection for a right ankle disability, assessing the severity of bilateral hearing loss, and considering extraschedular evaluations.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for a low back condition.

The Board denied service connection for back disorder (claimed as arthritis), eye disorder, hearing loss, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. Diabetes mellitus, left ear hearing loss, and a disability manifested by head pain and bruxism are now considered service-connected. Migraine headaches were denied.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, were not shown to be related to service. The Board found that the current disabilities did not meet the criteria for service connection.