Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his deviated septum. The case is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from a qualified VA medical professional.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation prior to November 12, 2015, and in excess of 10 percent from November 12, 2015, to January 19, 2018, was denied. However, the Veteran received a grant of an initial evaluation of 30 percent or more for service-connected bilateral hearing loss since January 19, 2018.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a bowel disorder were denied. The Veteran was granted a 10 percent disability rating for his tinea pedis.,Service connection for the Veteran’s claimed conditions could not be established as they did not meet the criteria for presumptive or secondary service connection.

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

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, acquired psychiatric disability (other than PTSD), back disability, upper and lower extremity neurological disabilities, asthma, sinus disability, and rhinitis. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability due to lack of evidence showing a diagnosis of such disability for VA purposes. For the remaining issues, the Board finds that additional development is required as there are no current medical opinions addressing the etiology or relationship between any claimed disabilities and active service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for right ear hearing loss is granted, and the case is remanded for further rating consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for dysfunctional uterine bleeding. The cases of hypertension, bilateral hearing loss disability, gamekeeper's thumb, onychomycosis, right knee strain with degenerative joint disease, cervical strain with degenerative disc disease, and lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease are all remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of a right wrist ganglion cyst removal surgery, an initial disability rating for a left knee disability in excess of 10 percent, and an initial disability rating for a left testicle hydrocele with epididymitis in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for back disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and PTSD. Service connection is granted for these conditions. The claim for cervical spine disability remains denied.

The Veteran's representative and the VA Office of General Counsel requested a remand for further development due to an issue regarding his entitlement to a TDIU rating prior to December 15, 2009. The Board found that referral to the Director, Compensation Service, for extraschedular consideration is warranted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has not been shown to warrant a rating higher than 20 percent since August 4, 2006.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including noise exposure during his time as an aviation structural mechanic. As a result, the claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has remanded the claim for an extraschedular rating for bilateral hearing loss due to ongoing litigation and the need to consider specific factors as outlined in a recent Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMPR).

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and is being remanded.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss and right elbow condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, and depression due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the lack of audiometric testing data and need for a new VA audiological examination.