Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining employment records from the USPS and arranging for an audiological examination to assess his hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing all issues on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, dermatitis (claimed as skin rash due to herbicide exposure), residuals of left eye strabismus surgery, and both right and left knee osteoarthritis. The appeals were decided on a direct basis without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is as likely as not related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the hearing loss being granted based on direct service connection due to in-service noise exposure. The tinnitus is secondary to the service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has found that the Veteran's recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax of the right lung is not related to service, including his left lung spontaneous pneumothorax. The Board denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to complete the necessary steps for a TDIU claim prior to April 4, 2011. The VA Form 21-8940 needs to be completed and any relevant private records need to be obtained.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be etiologically related to his active service, and the Board grants service connection for this disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim for service connection for these conditions is denied as there is no evidence to support their occurrence during active duty.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with audiometric test results showing no more than mild to severe sensorineural hearing loss in both ears. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, asthma, and sleep apnea have been denied. The claim for an effective date prior to August 5, 2015 for tinnitus has also been denied.,The Veteran is currently rated at 10% for his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and thus grants these claims.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination and opinion is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the previous examination did not consider all relevant factors.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further medical development to clarify the etiology of his carpal tunnel syndrome and to assess the severity of his hearing loss and lumbosacral strain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, are not related to his military service. The Veteran's irregular heartbeat and bilateral leg condition have also been found not to be linked to service.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and chronic skin condition are related to his active service, including exposure to herbicides. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have Bell's palsy or dysphonia, and his acquired psychiatric disorder, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss are not related to service. The appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his service-connected low back disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.