Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 28, 2017 and remanded the issue of entitlement to a higher rating from that date forward.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The right and left knee disabilities are remanded due to conflicting medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, asbestosis, sleep apnea, and depression due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and knee disorders, were not adjudicated in the July 2018 rating decision. The Board has referred these issues to the AOJ for appropriate action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and for sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as incurred in active duty. The issues of service connection for a left wrist disability, neck disability, bilateral hearing loss, and patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and psychiatric disorders. The appeal was dismissed.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hearing loss due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. However, the case is being remanded as further development and examination are needed before a decision can be made.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is granted, but a higher rating for the condition is denied. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and sleep disorder are not shown to be related to service. Service connection for right leg disorder, left leg disorder, left foot disorder, and right foot disorder is denied. Service connection for hypertension is denied. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to tinnitus.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for bilateral hearing loss, recurrent tinnitus, and neurological impairment of the lower extremities. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. A VA examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to his service aboard the USS Enterprise.

The Board has not addressed the propriety of reducing the evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss from 30 percent to non-compensable effective December 1, 2014. The issue is remanded and will be readjudicated.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder.,Service connection for a sleep disorder (mild sleep apnea) is denied, as the evidence does not establish a separate disability from his service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety.

The Board denied reopening and granting service connection for hearing loss in both ears due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,Service connection for lumbar spine disability, emphysema, obstructive sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus, type II are all denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in service or otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to issues with the rating and service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a damaged ear condition. The AOJ is instructed to obtain updated VA treatment records and conduct a VA medical opinion regarding the significance of the examiner's inability to interpret acoustic reflexes.