Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need to obtain VA treatment records from October 2014 to April 2017, as well as any audiological examinations or tests. A new VA examination is also required to determine the current nature of his hearing loss and tinnitus disorders, including whether dizziness is a symptom of either condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of tonsillectomy, and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions and outstanding records.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of current disabilities related to the Veteran's military service.,There is insufficient medical evidence linking the Veteran’s current conditions to his period of active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons for denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and further development is needed including obtaining employment audiometry records from 1969.

The Board has remanded the cases of tinnitus and hearing loss for further development as an incomplete review of service records was conducted during a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as incomplete information regarding asbestos exposure. Additional opinions are needed on whether his right ear hearing loss disability is related to service, if CAD was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected varicose veins, and if his stroke and skin cancer are related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's whole-body pain is attributed to skeletal arthritis, which has no direct connection to service.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not shown as current disabilities for VA purposes.,Tinnitus began more than a year after separation from active duty service and is unrelated to any aspect of service.,The Veteran's diagnosed sleep apnea is not related to service, with no evidence suggesting an in-service onset or connection.,There is no objective evidence showing hair loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his current condition and in-service noise exposure. The Board also remanded the issue of non-service-connected disability pension, as further development is needed including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records, and scheduling a pension examination.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for his bilateral hearing loss disability and occipital nerve injury are being remanded due to the unduly remote nature of the VA examinations conducted in June 2014. The Veteran needs to undergo updated VA examinations and provide any private treatment records.

The Board has restored service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the original grant was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to aggravation of a pre-existing condition during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable (0 percent) due to the severity of his hearing impairment, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. His bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The anxiety disorder is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, but the Board finds that it does not warrant an increased rating due to its current level of impairment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for frostbite residuals of the hands and feet, as well as his bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and bilateral shoulder disabilities. The claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus is denied due to lack of prior communication indicating intent to file a claim.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus has been reopened, and secondary service connection for tinnitus is granted as it is proximately due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable due to the average puretone threshold of 29 in the right ear and 31 in the left ear, corresponding to Level I hearing impairment. The Board found no evidence that his hearing has worsened during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The VA is instructed to obtain a medical advisory opinion from an audiologist or otologist.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck condition, right wrist condition, bilateral hearing loss, and bronchitis. The effective dates are set at August 20, 2010.