Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 10 percent prior to November 1, 2017 and 50 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD).

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic conditions, and the Veteran's current symptoms are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss began during service and is related to his military noise exposure, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. As a result, service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, neuropathy of the right upper extremity, and immune system problems due to exposure to Mustard Gas and/or Gulf War Environmental Hazard. The Veteran's service connection claim is being reviewed again with additional medical opinions.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, diabetes mellitus type II, gout, and erectile dysfunction (ED) is granted. The claim of service connection for vestibular disorder (claimed as dizziness) remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, panic attacks, bilateral hearing loss, memory loss, and PTSD due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded all issues on appeal due to non-compliance with previous directives. The Veteran's surviving spouse is being provided another opportunity for the claims file to be updated and any necessary medical opinions obtained.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are granted. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to loud noises, including an explosion during his active duty service, which resulted in current hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU. The Board has remanded the case to determine if referral to the Director of Compensation Service is warranted due to exceptional circumstances.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has worsened, affecting his ability to enjoy activities and communicate in social environments. The Board orders a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence showing it manifested during service or within one year of service.

The Veteran's left and right ear hearing loss disabilities are granted as service connected. The Board found that the Veteran had a current disability in both ears, established by VA audiometric testing, which began during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a compensable rating for right middle finger amputation with scar and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate evaluations in prior examinations. The Veteran is to be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran was granted service connection for a hiatal hernia, but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea. The case is remanded for further examination to determine the etiology of obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a disability of the left shoulder, hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The decision found no new and material evidence to reopen the left shoulder claim, and that there was not enough evidence to establish a current disability or link to service for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as the evidence did not show he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD, hearing loss in the left ear, and tinnitus have been granted service connection. However, additional development is needed to determine the existence and etiology of hypertension, right hand disorder, TBI, bilateral eye disorder, and neck disorder.,Hypertension has not yet been determined as incurred in service due to lack of definitive evidence.