Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been rated based on the criteria provided. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings, but the current schedular ratings are considered adequate.,The Veteran claims service connection for migraine headaches and a cervical spine disorder. Further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's mild degenerative disc disease at L2-L3 and L3-L4 levels is granted as service-connected.,His left knee condition, right knee condition, and bilateral foot condition are denied as not related to his service.,His depression is granted as service-connected.,His sleep apnea is granted as service-connected.,His headaches are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's tinea pedis (bilateral feet) and PFB (previously rated noncompensable) are granted with a 30% rating effective June 25, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding service connection for left knee arthritis.,His initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the case is returned to the Board for further consideration.,The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete service records, lack of post-service treatment records, and a need for a new VA medical opinion. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again.

The appeals for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability may have worsened since his last VA audiology evaluation, and he should be afforded a new VA examination to determine the current level of severity.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and depressive disorder are all found to be related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for extraschedular ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his TDIU claim, require further development. Specifically, an additional medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's symptoms of balance issues, depression, and sleep difficulties are related to his service-connected disabilities or are separate conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss disability due to unclear audiometric testing results, lack of recent private audiological records, and conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to assess his current hearing loss severity and determine if it is related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they require further development due to inadequate notice of a scheduled VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for bilateral hearing loss as new and material evidence was not received, and the existing evidence did not establish a link between his current hearing loss and military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been evaluated at the maximum available ratings, while his coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass grafting and PTSD warrant further evaluation.,Coronary artery disease requires METs testing to determine its severity. The current examination did not include this test.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and a left ankle condition due to inadequate examinations.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were granted service connection, while the neck disability claim was reopened.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right-ear hearing loss, left-ear hearing loss, and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence showing a causal link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities and their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to incomplete development. The AOJ needs to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a new VA audiology examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was incurred during his military service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, basal cell carcinoma, and peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The Veteran is also denied an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for his tinnitus.