Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the cases of cervical stenosis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus for further development due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with new medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the evidence does not show that his hearing loss was incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted as there is at least equipoise of evidence to support a finding that it was caused by active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated at a 10 percent rating prior to October 3, 2018. From that date, the evaluation increased to 30 percent. The Board found that these ratings adequately reflect the Veteran's disability picture and there is no need for staged ratings or extraschedular consideration.

The appeal is dismissed with respect to the issues of service connection for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for diverticulitis and resulting colostomy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for spinal stenosis and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, as evidenced by exposure to acoustic trauma during active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability and bilateral hearing loss, but granted a 10% rating for right foot disability prior to May 26, 2016. The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded due to inadequate medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and denied claims for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and diverticulosis. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as the Veteran's current tinnitus is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability due to inadequate examination reports and conflicting opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with the highest level of hearing impairment being Level II in both ears.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates have been denied as the earliest date of entitlement is the day following his discharge from active duty.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus has been denied as there is no legal basis to assign a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need to obtain additional service treatment records and verify any unverified periods of service, including in the Air Force.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for hearing loss of the right ear and neck problems (claimed as arthritis) have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination for the claimed nasal disability. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, and low back disability. The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability is being remanded for further development as there are outstanding records and a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his condition.

The VA reduced the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability rating from 60 percent to 10 percent, but this decision is not considered clear and unmistakable error.