Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to unclear audiometry results. Clarification from the private audiology providers is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his service, specifically his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) where he was exposed to noise from M-16 training. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and increased evaluation for ischemic heart disease have been reopened. The claim for an increased rating for ischemic heart disease has been granted to a 30 percent level.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence did not show a link to service, with the December 2017 VA examiner concluding that current symptoms are more likely due to post-service noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for a back condition (claimed as a gunshot wound to the lower back), bilateral foot condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD, to include depression, anxiety, and any mental condition, all of which were pending at the time of the Veteran's death. The Board found no nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is related to his military service, and to clarify the nature of his hearing loss.

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating has already been assigned. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to lack of recent VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shoulder, hip, foot, ankle, and knee disabilities as well as right ear hearing loss due to lack of current diagnoses and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability.,For TDIU, the Veteran does not meet the schedular criteria as he has more than one service-connected disability but their combined rating is less than 70 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions were incurred during active service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as secondary to her service-connected cervical spondylosis. The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination regarding brain demyelination, hearing loss, numbness and pain claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome of the left and right arms, increased ratings for cervical spondylosis and lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and his hypertension is rated at 10 percent since May 10, 2014. The Board finds that the evidence supports a 10 percent rating for hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorder due to outstanding evidence and need for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis, psychiatric disability (including PTSD), and bilateral hearing loss. The right foot and left foot disabilities are remanded.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed due to the need for additional evidence or clarification.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues of low back disability, right leg disability, left leg disability, and right ankle disability are remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected hearing loss has been remanded due to the failure to issue a supplemental statement of the case addressing new medical evidence and the lack of VA treatment records in the claims file.

The Veteran is denied an effective date earlier than September 22, 2015 for the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD.,The Veteran is denied an effective date earlier than September 22, 2015 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran is denied an effective date earlier than September 22, 2015 for the grant of service connection for left knee instability.,The Veteran is denied an effective date earlier than September 22, 2015 for the grant of service connection for left knee limitation of flexion.,The Veteran is denied an effective date earlier than September 22, 2015 for the grant of service connection for lumbar strain.,The Veteran is denied an effective date earlier than September 22, 2015 for the grant of service connection for right knee arthritis.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's in-service noise exposure. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's hearing loss is not severe enough to meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating. The right ankle disability, excepting a period of temporary total disability from December 19, 2014 to January 31, 2015, has been granted with a 20% evaluation.