Hearing loss decisions — 2018

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

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The Board also remanded cases regarding initial ratings for right knee DJD and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to conflicting evidence regarding their onset during service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there was no in-service noise exposure or hearing impairment, and the current disability does not meet VA criteria for a hearing loss disability. For tinnitus, while the Appellant reported an in-service onset, his STRs show no such symptoms at separation, making it less likely that service connection can be established.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to conflicting statements regarding in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are intertwined, so both issues will be addressed together.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of left ear hearing loss and renal cell carcinoma for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU on an extra-schedular basis, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional evidence and examination regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for hearing loss is granted. An increased rating of 40 percent is granted for lumbosacral spine disability, but the left breast scar remains at a non-compensable rating. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various conditions, including hearing loss, DJD of the right knee, limitation of extension of the right knee, left knee disorder, bone disorder, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left thigh disorder, right thigh disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, neck muscle spasms, visual defect, hypertension, GERD, brain tumor, peripheral neuropathy and polyneuropathy, seizure disorder, and other conditions. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional evidence or clarification.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and hearing loss, but found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of bilateral hearing loss. The issue of service connection for a back disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection, as is his acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The headache disorder claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus and left ear hearing loss due to insufficient development, including a need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is manifested by no more than Level I hearing impairment in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable rating.,Entitlement to service connection for residuals of cervical spine fusion at C4-5 and lumbosacral spine fusion at L4-5, as well as neuropathy of the right leg associated with these conditions, is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss. A new VA medical opinion is needed from an audiologist.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the appellant's character of discharge and his service connection claims. The appeal is not about service connection at all, but rather a dispute over the character of discharge.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the Board remanded his claim for service connection of a left knee disability. The decision on bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it is still under review.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and active military service.,For the increased rating claims, the Veteran's headaches were granted an initial 30 percent rating after November 18, 2015. The other issues remained denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus and ischemic heart disease are granted service connection. The lumbar disability, bilateral hearing loss, and psychiatric disorder claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.