Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and hypertension have been granted. The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise regarding the etiology of these conditions, thus granting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, with evidence in equipoise as to whether these conditions were caused by exposure to loud noises during active duty. As a result, both claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development, including obtaining a new medical opinion regarding their relationship to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. His bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is rated at noncompensable and not considered for a higher rating due to the presence of his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, which may be related to service exposure.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is related to service noise exposure and has been granted as service connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorder. The Veteran is seeking service connection for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss, which have been granted. Service connection for a respiratory disorder remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate explanation and analysis regarding the extraschedular rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's functional effects and all of his service-connected disabilities need to be considered.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disability, right knee degenerative joint disease, right eye glaucoma, and hearing loss in both ears. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence of a nexus to service.,There is no credible evidence linking the current disabilities to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military noise exposure. The claim for an initial compensable rating for left ear sensorineural hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 70 percent, and he meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tooth loss was denied as the in-service dental treatment was not due to trauma. The bilateral hearing loss disability and right hand disability were both granted, while residuals of right foot injury were denied.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded, and service connection for arthritis requires an addendum from the November 2016 examiner.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examinations and conflicting evidence in the record. The Veteran needs a new examination to assess his PTSD severity, and an aid and attendance/housebound examination is also needed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not require regular aid and attendance or make him housebound, as he can manage his daily activities despite the disability.

The Board dismissed the appeals for hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as the appeal regarding an earlier effective date for coronary artery disease. The Veteran's claim of service connection for coronary artery disease was previously denied in February 2013 due to lack of evidence supporting his active service in Vietnam. However, a subsequent buddy statement and review of service treatment records indicated he served in Vietnam. The earliest possible effective date is June 20, 2016, the date the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim was received.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable due to the lack of meeting the criteria for a compensable rating based on audiometric test results.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, specifically noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial disability rating greater than 30 percent for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new examination.