Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to incomplete examination results and the need for further testing.

The Veteran's appeal for sleep apnea was dismissed. The claims for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD were not granted as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions. The lumbar spine, thoracic spine, and left ankle disabilities are also being remanded.

The reduction from a 50 percent rating for hearing loss to zero percent was proper. The Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, right knee, left foot, right foot, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disorders are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is a direct result of his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for hearing loss was denied in November 2011, but new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim.,Tinnitus was also denied in November 2011. The Board found that no new and material evidence had been submitted within one year of the denial.,Major depressive disorder and PTSD were remanded as there is conflicting evidence regarding their etiology, including a lack of review of the claims file by VA medical providers.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for tension headaches is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, carpal tunnel syndrome of the hands, low back disorder, hypertension, varicose veins, pulmonary sarcoidosis, and left foot disorder are all remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, right ankle disorder, right knee disorder, right foot disorder (pes planus), and right varicose veins are not addressed as they do not involve secondary service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 50 percent from January 5, 2018. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo were not found to be related to service or any in-service injury.,A compensable rating for left eye scar was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a 10% evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7800.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including COPD, aortic stenosis, sleep apnea, and depression have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The hearing loss and tinnitus ratings remain denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right knee disorder, cervical spine condition, back condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depressive disorder), stomach condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, chronic fatigue, and sleep apnea. The Board also denied reopening the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The claims for left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are remanded due to conflicting opinions from VA examiners.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss claim is denied as he does not have current hearing loss. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus claims are granted as they are etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his bilateral hearing loss claim is dismissed. His tinnitus claim is granted, and the Board has remanded other issues including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bowel impairment disorder, left leg sciatica, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and right leg sciatica.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of aggravation during or within one year after service, and the preexisting condition did not worsen.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as level I in both ears, resulting in a non-compensable disability rating. The Board found that the Veteran does not qualify for a compensable disability rating at any time during the appeals period.

The Board has granted service connection for coccygeal strain, lumbar strain, left hip DJD status post stress fracture, and acne dermatillomania as secondary to service-connected obsessive compulsive disorder. Service connection was denied for left knee strain, right hip strain, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted service connection, as they started during his military service and continue to occur. His adjustment disorder with depression is also granted service connection, as it was aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability, residuals of a stroke, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) as there was no evidence to support these conditions during her active duty or within one year of separation.