Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied effective October 31, 2013.,Effective dates prior to October 31, 2013, are not warranted for the grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, but the left ear hearing loss claim is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder and major depressive disorder with psychotic features (depression), is granted as secondary to his service-connected shoulder disability. The Veteran's substance use disorder is also granted as secondary to depression. Service connection for a bilateral foot disability and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing updated VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, including as secondary to tinnitus, due to inadequate examination and addendum opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, as he was laid off from his job due to the condition. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise regarding this issue.

The appeals for service connection of thoracolumbar spine, cervical strain, left knee strain and degenerative joint disease, right knee strain and degenerative joint disease, acquired psychiatric disability (depression), ulcers, and gastrointestinal disorder have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal.,Service connection has been granted for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of a broken nose have been denied as no new and material evidence has been submitted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a broken nose has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, so the cases are dismissed.

The Veteran's left knee disorder and erectile dysfunction are service-connected, but the right knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma are not.,Service connection is granted for erectile dysfunction as secondary to hypertension. The other conditions remain denied.,There is no evidence of a current cystalgia (pain in the bladder) disability, so service connection is denied.,The Veteran's right knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma are not service-connected.,Service connection for the cervical spine disorder is granted as it is related to a low back disorder. The other conditions remain denied.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss due to inservice noise exposure. The other conditions remain denied.,Service connection is granted for bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma due to inservice noise exposure. The other conditions remain denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to physical and mental impairments, which has been granted for special monthly compensation.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including VA treatment records and examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new and material evidence. The claims of service connection for other disabilities remain remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure, and his claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain an updated VA examination that considers the functional impairment attributable to the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a TDIU due to issues regarding extraschedular consideration. The Veteran's part-time work as a home healthcare worker is being considered, along with his service-connected disabilities and employment history.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combined to a total of 60 percent, but did not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU. The Board referred the case to the Director of Compensation and Pension Services (Director) for extraschedular consideration due to unemployability caused by his service-connected conditions.

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