Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service connection claims for osteoarthritis, thoracolumbar spine and a left leg disorder including numbness as secondary to the back condition have been denied. His hearing loss claim remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and another VA examination to determine if his bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service. The issues include seeking service connection for both PTSD and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to unclear scope of the claim and need for a comprehensive VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's in-service exposure to loud noise, including during combat operations, is considered sufficient to establish a nexus between his current bilateral hearing loss disability and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board due to lack of evidence supporting his assertions or current diagnoses.

The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability had its onset during his active service and the Board finds that the weight of the evidence supports a finding that the Veteran has a current hearing loss disability in his right ear that is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are etiologically related to his in-service hazardous noise exposure. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and is now granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active service.

The Veteran's right and left foot heel spur disabilities have been granted a 10 percent rating.,Increased ratings greater than 10 percent are not warranted for either the Veteran's right or left heel spur disabilities.

The Board has restored the Veteran's initial 20 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, effective January 1, 2012. The reduction from 20 to 0 percent was improper as there is no evidence showing improvement in the Veteran's condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The examiner should consider the Veteran's complaints and any recent audiometric testing results, but note that these do not meet the specific requirements of 38 C.F.R. § 4.85.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, sleep impairment, hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosed condition for which service connection could be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including exposure to noise during military service. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an audio examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service, as evidenced by noise exposure during active duty and abnormal eardrums noted at separation. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, but his chronic bronchitis and acquired psychiatric disorder are each granted a 60 percent rating. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's ventral hernia is found to have been incurred during service, and his bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable rating.