Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses claims for July 7, 2013 private hospitalization and ambulance services were denied because he did not receive VA medical services within the required 24-month period preceding the treatment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and potential related balance issues are not currently evaluated by the VA, and additional evidence is needed to determine their severity. The TDIU claim requires updated employment information from the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and hypertensive heart disease due to inadequate examination results, lack of conclusive evidence regarding in-service onset or etiology, and need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran will be provided with a new VA examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a significant in-service noise exposure that resulted in current hearing impairment.

The Board has denied service connection for hearing loss but granted service connection for tinnitus. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to the presence of other conditions and symptoms. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of bilateral hearing loss, major depressive disorder, insomnia, erectile dysfunction, and hepatitis C with chronic fatigue are remanded due to the need for additional development.

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

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's eye disability may be related to his service-connected forehead scar, but this needs to be confirmed by a VA examiner. For hearing loss, the Veteran's condition is believed to be related to his in-service work as an aircraft mechanic.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The decision on hearing loss is based on the lack of probative medical evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to allegations of worsening symptoms and the need for a contemporaneous examination.

The Board granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's hiatal hernia and right foot calluses claims were dismissed due to his withdrawal of appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left ear tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The case is remanded for additional examination and development regarding his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination in May 2010. A new examination is needed to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the claimed respiratory disability, bilateral hearing loss, or groin cyst. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's TDIU claim requires additional evidence and a new examination due to the lack of information about his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to unreliable testing results and the absence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee condition, left knee condition, and bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate medical opinions and lack of evidence addressing continuity of symptomatology.