Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's constant ringing in his ears is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA audiometric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms within one year post-service. The peripheral neuropathy claim was denied due to lack of objective medical findings supporting a current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, scheduling a new VA examination for the low back disability, and scheduling an audiological examination for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 9, 2011. The Board also granted a TDIU effective September 3, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing pages in the Veteran's appeal and incomplete SSA records. The issues of service connection for various disorders remain under review.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and that it is related to his military service, thus granting service connection.

The case is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and additional records. The Veteran's diabetic dermopathy and bilateral hearing loss are the issues at hand.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated at 50% and 80% since December 16, 2011, and October 6, 2016 respectively. The Board found no evidence to warrant higher evaluations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as well as for a TDIU, have been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing his appeals prior to the Board's decision.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of hearing loss for VA purposes and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to include obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling a psychiatric and audiological examination, and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling him for a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule him for appropriate VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD, with alcohol abuse, and bilateral hearing loss. The TDIU claim will be addressed together with the other issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, entitling him to a TDIU.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, which manifested during service and is presumed to have developed then, was the principal cause of his death. The Board finds that this condition is related to active military service.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for new examinations and information regarding employment status. The issues of increased rating, compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU are in dispute.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code.