Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss has been denied. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a lower back condition due to unclear periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, lumbosacral strain, and various joint and hearing conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. A TDIU rating is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an extraschedular rating in excess of 10 percent for otitis media was denied as the symptoms are contemplated by the rating schedule. The appeal for TDIU was also denied due to lack of evidence showing marked interference with employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for malignant melanoma, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and a higher rating for coronary artery disease. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, particularly his back disability and left knee condition.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss, PTSD, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was granted. The decision is based on presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened. The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims, but a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is insufficient evidence regarding whether these conditions are related to service, specifically acoustic trauma. The Veteran's pre-service audiogram needs to be re-evaluated using current standards.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

All appeals for service connection and increased ratings are withdrawn. The Veteran's adjustment disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected headaches.,The Veteran’s degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology, including potential aggravation by a work-related injury in 1999.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but has remanded them for further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current hearing loss disability, which is related to in-service noise exposure as an aircraft mechanic.

The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the loss of right leg above knee was granted as it was proximately caused by VA hospital care, despite some uncertainty in causation.

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

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected left ankle disorder, bilateral hearing loss prior to August 5, 2016, and hearing loss from August 5, 2016 onwards have all been denied by the Board.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings were dismissed. The Board also remanded several issues related to effective dates.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconclusive results from a previous VA examination, and requires a new examination to determine if the veteran's hearing loss is related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The Veteran's hypertension is denied as secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2 and/or PTSD (claimed as hemorrhoids). Hemorrhoids claim is denied due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are due to in-service combat noise exposure. The decision is based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The initial rating for hypertension remains at zero percent, and the Veteran's insomnia is rated as 10 percent disabling.,The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes. His hypertension has not met the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101. The Veteran’s insomnia associated with his service-connected lumbar spine disability results in some decrease in work efficiency.