Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable (0 percent disabling) and does not warrant an increased rating.,From August 31, 2011 to the present, the Veteran's service-connected LEFT lower extremity varicose veins disability manifests in persistent edema and stasis pigmentation or eczema with intermittent ulceration, warranting a 40 percent rating. No greater rating is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to clarify the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, including obtaining a line of duty determination and VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and prostate cancer due to herbicide agent exposure have been denied as the evidence does not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of updated medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions, and that any current symptoms were not related to military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Appellant's periods of active duty service and to determine if any hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, sleep problem, or hypertension are related to such service. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence is against finding a nexus between any current disabilities and in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the December 2011 VA examination, which did not consider the conflicting medical literature regarding delayed onset hearing loss.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board finds that the Veteran's current sensorineural hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his military noise exposure during active duty service, and thus grants service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea has been withdrawn. The Board finds that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and grants a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the claims for reopening service connection for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to SMC are intertwined, so both issues must be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's timely VA Form 9 was filed regarding his claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, and the appeal is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, warranting service connection. For PTSD, the Board found that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether it was incurred or aggravated by service, resulting in a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is related to his in-service noise exposure and service connection for this condition is granted. The Veteran's paresthesia of the jaw and left ear sensorineural hearing loss disability are not currently addressed as they were not part of the appeal issues decided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is presumed to have entered service in sound condition and has a current acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence does not support service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his service, including noise exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to September 29, 2015 for the grant of a 70 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not show that there was a factually ascertainable increase in disability within one year before the date of receipt of the claim.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased rating issues have been remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further examination and clarification of his in-service noise exposure. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.