Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, sleep apnea, left shoulder condition, low back condition, bilateral hip condition, bilateral shin splints, and right thigh condition (secondary to low back) have been granted. The remaining issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is associated with his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lower back disorder, neck disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, pneumonia, upper extremities disorder, lower extremities disorder, bones and joints disorder, dizziness, GERD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction. Additional development is needed to obtain complete service records and private medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking his current hearing impairment to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus and increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss has been remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his claimed exposure to herbicides. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 7, 2015 is denied, as is a rating in excess of 10 percent from October 7, 2015 to May 16, 2016 and a rating in excess of 30 percent on or after May 17, 2016 for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder of the left hand, back and stomach/abdominal area has been reopened. Service connection is granted for PTSD, depressive disorder and panic disorder. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, residuals of circumcision (penile pain), metatarsalgia with hammertoe, right knee disorder and left knee disorder are all denied.

The Board has denied an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for a bilateral knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral hearing loss and PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's PTSD, including whether a cognitive disorder is related to his service-connected PTSD or is a separate condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to outstanding VA treatment records from Heights Audiology not being associated with the record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his right big toe disability was granted a 10% rating. The decision also noted that the Veteran’s right toe condition has not worsened since his initial evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of audiometry findings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current conditions and military service. A new VA examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional VA or private treatment records and requesting the Veteran to submit a VA Form 21-8940. The TDIU claim is also being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the most recent VA audiology examination and the need for updated treatment records. A new examination must be conducted by an examiner other than the one who previously evaluated him.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's separation examination record is missing, so a VA examination will be scheduled to determine if he currently has these conditions and whether they are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is due to in-service noise exposure and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has determined that additional evidence should be obtained and considered in the claims for service connection for various conditions, including left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic infections of the right eye, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim is being remanded to allow for this development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The effective dates for hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability and does not warrant a higher rating. The Veteran also requested a TDIU based on his hearing loss, but the evidence shows he can still engage in substantially gainful employment.