Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal to increase his rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal via his accredited representative.

The Veteran's last VA audiological examination was from November 2014, and he claims his hearing loss disability has worsened since then. The Board finds a remand is needed to provide the Veteran with another VA examination to assess the current severity of his hearing loss.

The Board has decided that additional audiogram records are needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's hearing loss claim, and thus remands the case for further action.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, bilateral hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea are not service-connected.,Service connection for a psychiatric disability (depression) secondary to lumbar spine disability is remanded. The Veteran currently meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of tinnitus, and his hearing loss claim requires additional development including verification of ACDUTRA service.

The appellant has withdrawn her appeals for service connection for right ear hearing loss and left hip disability, thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD have been denied. The Board found insufficient evidence to establish a service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss must be remanded to provide the Veteran with an adequate examination. The TDIU issue also needs further development, including obtaining a combined effects opinion on the impact of multiple service-connected disabilities on employment.

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

Your appeals for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at a 50% since May 22, 2018. The VA has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and psychiatric disabilities (PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety) are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's requests to reopen claims for service connection for anxiety disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and gastrointestinal disorder have been granted. The claims for ear disorder (to include hearing loss) and psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's hearing loss claim is remanded, and his mood disorder (also claimed as depression) claim results in a 70% rating. Other claims are also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there are missing service records, including annual medical certificates, enlistment reports of medical history, and physical examination reports. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these records and verify all periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to in-service noise exposure. The claims were previously denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for PTSD due to lack of a definitive opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran contends that his current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service acoustic trauma, but the VA examiner found no evidence supporting this claim.