Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as non-compensable due to the severity of his condition, which does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to outstanding SSA records and a need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of higher rating for PTSD, service connection for hearing loss, heart condition, sinusitis, left ankle and knee conditions, scar of right eyebrow, and tinnitus. The RO is directed to address these issues.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, rating increases, or SMC based on his disability. The appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran’s representative.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee condition, and right knee condition due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable, with the Board finding that his audiometric results do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as it was incurred in service due to acoustic trauma.,Headaches are also granted as they were incurred in service due to acoustic trauma.,Low back disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.,Obstructive sleep apnea is remanded for further examination and opinion.,Diabetes mellitus is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence and additional medical records need to be obtained. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetic nephropathy with hypertension is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inaccurate factual premise in a previous VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to insufficient evidence in some cases, including lack of a proper VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The Veteran's myopathy and anti-TS HDS neuropathy are remanded for further development regarding herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was reopened, and the Board found that his right ear hearing loss is related to service. Service connection for right ear hearing loss has been granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with audiometric testing showing Level II in the right ear and Level I in the left ear. The Board found that these results do not warrant a compensable rating.

Service connection granted for left ear hearing loss and OSA, but denied for right ear hearing loss. Service connection is also granted for hypertension and PTSD.,Left hand tunnel syndrome service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for residuals of hepatitis B, to include status post liver transplant, due to insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to military service.,The Veteran's original claim for tinnitus was received on February 13, 2015, and an effective date earlier than February 13, 2015 is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right great toe ingrown toenail have been granted. The claim for service connection for vertigo, undiagnosed illness, and temporomandibular joint disease (TMJ) has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for posttraumatic stress disorder is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a thyroid goiter and bilateral hearing loss, as well as the TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is service-connected as it was incurred during his military service, resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.