Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The issues of entitlement to an extraschedular rating for tinnitus and TDIU are also being deferred at this time.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that it is as likely as not that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset as a result of event or occurrence in service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 70 percent since November 14, 2017. Prior to that date, the rating was denied as his hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and missing audiometric test results. The Veteran's hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be at least as likely as not the result of acoustic trauma in service, warranting service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus and bilateral hearing loss. The issues were also addressed regarding right shoulder, foot, hip, and leg disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a left eye injury due to incomplete data from his enlistment and separation examinations, as well as outstanding VA treatment records. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including recurrent tinnitus, ischemic heart disease, and bilateral hearing loss, are found to be related to his military service. The Veteran is also granted entitlement to TDIU due to the combined effect of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further clarification of examination reports, particularly regarding audiometric examinations conducted by J. E. Dann, M.S. CCC-A.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with symptoms dating back to service. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including exposure to loud noise. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for sleep apnea syndrome has been withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The appeal is currently in remand status due to issues with previous examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that his bilateral hearing loss, left varicocele, and scar from a stab wound to the right chest did not warrant higher ratings under applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including hearing loss, gout, stomach disorder, and psychiatric disability. The Board has determined that further examination is necessary to address the severity of these conditions.,The Veteran claims service connection for gout (of the left knee and feet) and a stomach disorder. A VA examination is needed to determine if these disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral hearing loss have been granted, but the ratings for both conditions are not increased beyond what was originally assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.,Service connection is now established for both a bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.