Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a disability during the appeal period.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective June 11, 2012. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of this date.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, granted service connection for tinnitus, and denied service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's skin disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a pre-service or in-service onset. The skin disability claim is remanded as the Veteran may have been exposed to Agent Orange during service, and his current condition could be related.,Service connection for a back disability and bilateral hip disability are also remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for equilibrium disorder secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss, an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to incomplete development. The Veteran needs to provide VA Form 21-4142 for any physicians who have treated his equilibrium disorder and bilateral hearing loss, and a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any equilibrium disorder and the current severity of his service-connected hearing loss disability.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability at present, defined by VA standards.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not considered severe enough for VA disability compensation.,His right ear hearing loss was noted at entry and did not worsen during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability and granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The denial of the right ankle disability claim is based on lack of evidence linking it to service, while the grant of service connection for right ear hearing loss is due to credible reports of noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and prostate cancer are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and updated treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing audiometric test results from February 2012. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination, and a remand is required to determine the current severity of his service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, heart disability, and diabetes mellitus, type II. The decision found no current disabilities meeting VA criteria for hearing loss or diabetes, and that there was insufficient evidence to support presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hand condition and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to his current conditions. The claim for sleep apnea was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for basal cell carcinoma due to in-service herbicide exposure.