Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 25, 2010 for the assignment of a 10 percent rating for service-connected external hemorrhoids is denied.,For hearing loss in the right ear prior to April 28, 2016 and a rating in excess of 70 percent for bilateral hearing loss thereafter, the Veteran's claim is denied. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating or a rating in excess of 70 percent during the appeal period.,For lumbar spine disability, the Veteran's claim is denied as his service-connected lumbar spine disability has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent at any time during the appeal period. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for an increased rating due to IVDS with incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 4 weeks during the past 12 months, forward flexion of the lumbar spine limited to 30 degrees, ankylosis, or neurologic abnormalities (other than radiculopathy of the lower extremities).,For right leg sciatica and left leg radiculopathy, the Veteran's claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent at any time during the appeal period. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for an increased rating due to at least moderately severe incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's claims for residuals of a stroke, right shoulder disorder, and prostate disorder are addressed separately.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service and is related to his exposure to acoustic trauma. The decision on left ear hearing loss is pending as it was addressed in a separate remand.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to acoustic trauma during active military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to acoustic trauma during active military service, and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hearing loss and hemorrhoids have been rated as noncompensable, with no evidence of functional impairment or secondary conditions.,Tinnitus has not been shown to be related to service, and the tumor of the right side gum and sinus is pending further evaluation.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus should be remanded due to the need to obtain in-service medical records through an alternate procedure.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and finds that, given the evidence in equipoise as to whether his current bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, he is entitled to service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be incurred in service, and his bilateral hearing loss is not a compensable disability. The Board grants the claim for tinnitus.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is as likely as not attributable to service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the lack of service treatment records and the need for a VA audiologic examination.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss has prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability in either ear.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding new and material evidence. The Board then determined that these conditions are related to service and granted service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to have started during his service, and the Board grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it is etiologically related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss has been granted, but a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity and functional impact of the condition.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability did not have its onset during service, did not manifest within one year of separation from active service, and was not caused by his active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claims to service connect a psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic sinusitis were reopened. The Board finds that the Veteran has a psychiatric disability etiologically related to his period of active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, including consideration of his military noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and service personnel records. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being evaluated to determine if they are related to his active service.