Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a skin disorder (characterized as contact dermatitis) have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claims are now remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as the evidence did not establish a link to active service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disability was denied because there is no evidence that his current condition began during or is related to his military service. ,The Veteran's claim for service connection for back disability was granted, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to an injury sustained in active service.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection was denied for the stomach disability due to a lack of aggravation beyond its natural progression during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and are not otherwise related to active duty service.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder at any point during the pendency of the claim.

The Board dismissed the claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 22, 2015, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter. The claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and PTSD are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the evidence did not support a finding that it was caused by military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a link between current hearing loss and military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in February 2008, and the issue is now reopened due to new evidence. The Veteran does not have a diagnosed hearing disability.,Service connection for IBS has been granted but an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent is denied. The Veteran's symptoms are considered moderate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease, status post coronary artery bypass graft, with residual surgical scars, is also denied.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease is granted service connection, and a 10 percent evaluation for contact dermatitis of the right thumb is granted. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for a bilateral foot disability is remanded due to lack of adequate medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and bilateral tinnitus, finding that these conditions are etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's initial rating greater than 30 percent for migraine headaches remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination in August 2016, and a new examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board denied service connection for heart condition, porphyria cutanea tarda, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss due to exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange).

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss is granted, but ratings for the condition prior to January 8, 2018, and on and after that date are denied. Service connection for sinusitis is granted.

The appeal to reopen a service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted, and the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for hypothyroidism is remanded.

The Board has determined that VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of various conditions, including low back and cervical spine disorders, shoulder disorders, knee disorders, hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, TBI, headaches, and hand tremors. The Veteran's service records show in-service accidents and injuries, but further medical evaluation is required to establish a connection between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted a 20% rating for bilateral hearing loss from January 3, 2014. The appellant is not entitled to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to that date and his tinnitus remains at the maximum schedular rating.