Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, an unspecified heart disorder, and diabetes are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and PTSD, as well as TDIU prior to October 21, 2010, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for hearing loss or a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to October 21, 2010.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been dismissed.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities have all been denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss. The appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and residuals of cardiac surgery with cardiac stents are all granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his military service.

The appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for PTSD was denied. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his hearing loss, as his audiometric results were within non-compensable limits. For PTSD, there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in the medical records, thus denying the claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,PTSD remains at a 70 percent rating, with no increase in rating sought or warranted.,Low back disability receives a 10 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the left hip and a TDIU, but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for an additional VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and his bilateral hearing loss is granted an 80% rating since September 18, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted, but are now moot due to the issuance of a rating decision in December 2015. The claim for left ear hearing loss is being remanded.,Both the right ear hearing loss and tinnitus claims were granted with effective dates of October 19, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted it for tinnitus. The Veteran's tinnitus is believed to have started during his military service, while the hearing loss did not manifest until after separation.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for throat and breathing problems as a result of dental surgery due to incomplete development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his low back disability. The Veteran did not meet the threshold element of a current ratable hearing loss disability, as his audiometric test results did not establish a disability for VA purposes.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus type II, finding no evidence of in-service noise exposure or herbicide agent exposure that could support a claim. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus (as secondary to hearing loss), and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are being remanded because a new VA examination is needed to assess the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but the case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding other issues including a sleep disorder, heart disease, PTSD, and effective dates.