Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder), OSA, migraine headaches, and left knee pain are all granted service connection.,Service connection for right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, right leg restless leg syndrome, left leg restless leg syndrome, cervical spine osteoarthritis, and left arm radiculopathy is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was denied due to lack of a timely notice of disagreement. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU prior to December 22, 2010, but the evidence is in equipoise as to whether he has been unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since then.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and ischemic heart disease/coronary artery disease were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 10 percent from April 23, 2016 to September 15, 2016 and at 30 percent thereafter. The Board denied an increased rating for the period prior to April 23, 2016.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 60 percent from May 9, 2014. The Board found that a higher rating was warranted based on the most recent VA audiological examination conducted in March 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and additional development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and migraine headaches, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of February 24, 2012. An effective date of February 24, 2012 is granted for the grant of TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for left ankle and foot disability and left hip disability.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for an addendum opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is related to service, specifically in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus and prostate cancer are granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. Bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease in service and insufficient medical basis to attribute current hearing loss to military noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to concerns about the reliability of a whisper test at separation from service. The Veteran was exposed to loud noise during service, but his hearing was normal on separation screening.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as Level II in the right ear and Level I in the left ear, resulting in a non-compensable rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation under the applicable criteria.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, heart condition, and COPD due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claims are not supported by competent medical opinion.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the bilateral foot condition service connection issue due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The hearing loss claim is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The psychiatric disorder claims are remanded for further evaluation and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, perforated left ear drum, and tinnitus will be reviewed again with additional evidence.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and did not grant initial ratings or TDIU as requested by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, finding that new evidence supports these claims. The Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and PTSD are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus, type 2 due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure.