Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a heart disorder (secondary to panic disorder with agoraphobia or hypertension), and a psychiatric disorder (other than panic disorder with agoraphobia) have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and further development is necessary.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of hearing loss for VA purposes and denied his claim.

The Board found that the reduction of the disability rating from 50% to 30% was not proper, but a reduction to 40% is appropriate. The Veteran's hearing improved over time as evidenced by VA examinations and corresponding objective testing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left eye disorder, including Adie's pupil, related to service or any other service-connected disability. The issues of service connection for right ankle disorder, bilateral foot disorder, neck disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are also denied.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to the Veteran's claimed right leg, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The lower back disability was not service connected as it is not linked to a service-connected condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's Meniere's disease with hearing loss and tinnitus was aggravated during active duty service, thus granting her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of hearing loss, foot disability other than flat feet, or a current foot disability other than flat feet. Service connection was not granted for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, vision loss, laxity of the right knee, or recurrent low back pain with history of muscle strain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining medical records.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service, and the current hearing loss is not related to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, left ankle disability, and skin disability of the feet are found to be service-connected. The right ankle disability and ischemic heart disease claims were not addressed due to lack of current disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective from March 14, 2017. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable since the initial grant of service connection. The VA examinations have shown that his hearing acuity is no worse than Level I in both ears, which corresponds to a noncompensable rating under the applicable VA schedule.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records, as well as further development of his claims.

The Board has found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss had its onset during his combat service in Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The heart disease claim is remanded as it involves a complex medical issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected due to in-service noise exposure. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's original claims file and to provide a new examination. The appeal will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for higher initial ratings for right and left knee degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus prior to the Board's decision.