Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to noise exposure during active duty service.,There is no evidence that the claimed right wrist disability, post-concussion syndrome/headaches, or left brachio-plexus injury affecting the sensory dermatomes of T1, T2 and C8 are related to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not caused by his active duty service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and severity of his right knee disability.

The Veteran's PTSD, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss are all service-connected. The right knee condition is reopened and found to be related to service, while the left inguinal hernia is also found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's periods of active duty and reserve service, obtain relevant medical records, and provide the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations. The appeal will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to May 14, 2010 for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The initial rating of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss after October 9, 2014 has also been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service due to noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, DJD of the right knee, DJD of the left knee, DJD of the right hip, DJD of the left hip, and DDD of the lumbar spine as secondary to a service-connected wound of the right foot/muscle group X.,The Board has granted service connection for these disabilities based on evidence in relative equipoise.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues are remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are related to his military service. The issue of a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee laxity is withdrawn by the Veteran. No service connection was established for heart disease or an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 10 percent, and his tinnitus disability is also rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not show an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss. Additionally, the Veteran has not been shown to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's current tinnitus is at least as likely as not the result of an in-service event or injury, and the Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of tinnitus. The Veteran's statement as to the onset of tinnitus during his October 2017 Board hearing was found to be credible, and this lay evidence indicates a relationship between the current disability and the in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, with the Board resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for tinnitus is also granted as it is considered a symptom of the service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 90 percent, effective May 18, 2016. The Board found that the evidence supported a finding of entitlement to this rating throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records from private providers. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending and will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss of the left ear and tinnitus. The Veteran served as a helicopter crew chief, exposed to noise from helicopters, tanks, and small arms fire during his military service. His complaints of hearing loss and tinnitus began shortly after a live fire exercise where he was not wearing protective gear. Service connection is granted for these conditions based on direct evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is related to service and grants this claim. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and an opinion regarding the relationship between his current hearing loss disability and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sickle cell anemia and bilateral hip conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board finds that there is no evidence of ischemic heart disease and denies the claim. The kidney disorder was not shown to be related to service, including as secondary to diabetes mellitus. Bilateral hearing loss was also not shown to be related to service.