Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss from August 10, 2012, to July 27, 2016. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating since July 28, 2016 remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a TDIU is being remanded due to insufficient evidence showing he was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation by reason of his service-connected disabilities prior to April 10, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which are claimed to be related to exposure to acoustic trauma during service. The VA will need to conduct a new examination to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's hearing loss and PTSD are being remanded for further evaluation. The hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, while the PTSD rating before November 17, 2015, remains at 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and status post left ingrown toenail were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD due to conflicting evidence in the file. Additional medical examinations are required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for right knee disability and a TDIU due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran will need to undergo another VA examination to assess her right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right bundle branch block, folliculitis, and dermatophytosis due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and major depressive disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and the retrieval of relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for hypertension has been dismissed. His claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 30 percent from January 23, 2012 to June 10, 2013 for COPD have both been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss may have worsened, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as increased disability ratings for TBI residuals other than major depressive disorder and headaches. The Veteran did not meet the auditory threshold criteria for a bilateral hearing loss disability for service connection purposes and his tinnitus onset was not causally related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and left ear hearing loss is being reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. Service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded due to lack of recent VA examination. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is also remanded as there are insufficient medical records and a new VA examination is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hip condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The hip condition is found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both found to be related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective August 19, 2004.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and ischemic heart disease (IHD), finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure and presumed herbicide agent exposure, respectively.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the May 2012 VA examiner's opinions are inadequate. The Veteran must provide any outstanding medical records in his possession, including from his VA doctor at the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, and SSA records should be obtained.