Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to address his claims.

The Board has determined that it is as likely as not that the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral sensorineural hearing loss had its onset in service. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of an in-service left eye injury, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and headache disability. The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a left eye injury is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and notifying her of any inability to obtain the requested documents.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and determined that new evidence received since the March 2007 rating decision is sufficient to reopen the claim. The Board also found that the Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability had its initial onset during service or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD was granted. The issue of a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is still pending, and the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to lack of clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the latter being granted as a result of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has reopened the claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, stomach ulcers, bilateral hearing loss, and a heart disorder due to new and material evidence. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be related to service, while the low back and neck disabilities remain in dispute due to lack of medical evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for atopic dermatitis, sleep apnea, hyperlipidemia, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and anxiety disorder), chronic sleep impairment, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral knee disability, diabetes mellitus type II, and nephropathy with hypertension. The Board found that the evidence did not support a relationship between these conditions and service or any presumptive exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination and the need to obtain updated medical records. The Veteran will be scheduled for another VA examination by an audiologist.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the Veteran not receiving her March 2016 Supplemental Statement of the Case and because she is currently receiving VA treatment for her hearing loss. The case will be returned to the AOJ with updated VA treatment records associated.

The Veteran's glaucoma, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension have been rated based on their current manifestations. The glaucoma is now rated at 10% effective September 15, 2017. Bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are each rated at 10%. These ratings are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, left foot disability (hallux valgus with arthritis and post-traumatic changes), and left knee disability (left knee arthritis) had their onset during service and are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both granted. Bilateral hearing loss is found to have been incurred in service, while tinnitus is also found to be related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by a period of active service or active duty for training, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was incurred in service and granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise with respect to whether the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during his active military service. The claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss requires further development before being decided on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating prior to September 6, 2017 or any rating in excess of 20 percent after that date.

The combined impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment, allowing for a grant of TDIU.