Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a heart condition, but has determined that additional development is needed due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service-connected compensation was denied, and the appellant is not a dependent child of the Veteran. Therefore, she cannot receive accrued benefits.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to mental incapacity resulting from service-connected schizophrenia is granted, leading to the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) at the aid and attendance rate.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service exposure to loud noise.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete information in the Veteran's service personnel records regarding his January 1968 separation examination results. The Veteran needs to be examined by a clinician who will determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,An initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss is not warranted based on the audiometric results provided.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since September 21, 2017. The TDIU is granted effective from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that his hearing acuity has not worsened to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is less likely related to his active service, and remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, headaches, hypertension, cervical spine DJD, right hand DJD, left hand DJD, right ear hearing loss, and right toe impairment have all been denied.,There is no current diagnosis of sleep apnea. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of cervicogenic headaches related to service. Hypertension was not shown within the applicable presumptive period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as Level III in the right ear and Level II in the left ear, resulting in a 0% disability rating. The Board found that the VA audiological examination results were adequate and did not reflect an inadequate evaluation.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not warrant a rating greater than 10 percent.

Service connection for eczema is granted. Service connection for acne vulgaris and arthritis and DDD of the thoracolumbar spine are denied.,Right ear hearing loss service connection is granted. The issues of left hand, right hand, sinusitis, left leg, and right leg disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's heart attack treatment at Bryan Medical Center was eligible for VA reimbursement as it occurred during an emergency and prior authorization was granted within 72 hours of admission.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to undergo an examination to determine if his hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, as well as whether any pre-existing hearing loss was aggravated by service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran must be provided with a new VA examination to determine if his current hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, but has granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected gout arthritis, hearing loss, tinnitus, and GERD disabilities preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right ear hearing loss condition and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss condition is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has added new VA treatment records to the file and will review them before making a decision on the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.