Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be related to service, but there is no evidence of left ear hearing loss for VA purposes. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for headaches must also be remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as new and material evidence has been received. The case is now remanded for a VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a current VA audiological examination to determine the current impairment resulting from his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and private treatment records not being in the file, which may substantiate the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was denied as there is no legal basis for the assignment of such a higher evaluation. The effective date remains pending.

The Veteran requested an increased evaluation for spondylosis and service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right eye disorder. At the November 2017 hearing, he withdrew his appeal for service connection of a right eye disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and right ear hearing loss. The issue of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability warranted a rating of 20 percent under DC 5258 for dislocated cartilage, and a 10 percent rating under DC 5257 for slight lateral instability. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable throughout the claim period.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be etiologically related to his period of active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issues regarding bilateral hearing loss, left hip disability, and hypertension are remanded for further development.

For the period of March 22, 2016 through January 18, 2017, a rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is denied.,Prior to March 22, 2016 and from January 19, 2017, a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the Board found that his conditions did not warrant a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and he did not meet the criteria for service connection on any of the other issues.

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 a current disability. The VA audiological examinations did not find any nexus between the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service.

The Veteran's upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as his impotence/erectile dysfunction are found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.,Hearing loss has not been shown for VA purposes.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder condition is not related to service, and denied his claim for service connection. The claims for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus are intertwined with the left shoulder condition claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding treatment records and an addendum medical opinion based on those records.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The claim for tinnitus was granted based on credible reports of in-service noise exposure and post-service symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, thyroid cancer (as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation), and kidney stones have all been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection in any of these cases.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss resulted in a disability rating of 10 percent from February 10, 2012 to March 10, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support an initial higher rating for any period.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss and a disability manifested by water on the brain was denied. The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 70 percent, effective August 4, 2015.