Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus were all granted service connection. However, the Veteran was denied increased ratings for his PTSD, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus. The aortic aneurysm, hearing loss, tinnitus, and cataracts issues are still pending.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and a right elbow scar are denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in ratings beyond noncompensable levels.

The Veteran's residuals of a fracture of the distal end of the right second metacarpal are rated as noncompensably disabling prior to May 15, 2017, and 10 percent disabling thereafter.,For his right ear hearing loss, the current evaluation is noncompensable. The Veteran contends that a compensable rating is warranted due to more severe symptoms than represented by the current evaluation.,The Veteran's hemorrhoids are rated as noncompensably disabling prior to March 16, 2005; 10 percent disabling from March 16, 2005, to May 14, 2017; and 20 percent disabling beginning May 15, 2017.,The Veteran's hiatal hernia is rated as 60 percent disabling.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded.,Service connection for an eye disability secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded.,Service connection for a neurological disability secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded.,Service connection for TDIU resulting from service-connected disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for glaucoma and bilateral hearing loss disability due to additional development of the record.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for an implanted cardiac pacemaker, initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for nephrolithiasis. Additionally, the TDIU claim from March 11, 2016 is also remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and hearing loss, as new and material evidence was received. However, both conditions were denied due to lack of causal relationship with service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and she meets the schedular requirements for assignment of a TDIU.,Her initial rating for tinnitus remains at 10 percent as there is no basis in the law for awarding a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is insufficient evidence to determine if these conditions are related to service. The Veteran worked in a noisy environment during her military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased initial evaluation for service-connected bilateral tinnitus is denied.,All other issues are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not begin during or as a result of his military service. The appeal regarding neuropathy is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss has been denied, and the effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss has also been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or earlier effective date.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to his death.

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

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. For the period prior to March 3, 2015, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.,For the period since March 3, 2015, a higher initial rating than 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. Specifically, a VA examination and opinion are required in order to determine if his hearing loss, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and stomach condition are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with some issues being remanded and others denied. The Veteran is now service-connected for bilateral hearing loss, chronic sinusitis, gastrointestinal condition (claimed as duodenal ulcer), H. pylori, migraine headaches, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied service connection for respiratory disability. The right ear hearing loss claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as they are not related to service. The effective date of the award of service connection for these conditions is October 14, 2013. An increased rating for left hand disability was granted.

The Veteran's disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was restored to 40 percent effective June 1, 2015.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of hearing loss due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The cervical and thoracolumbar spine conditions are remanded for further review.