Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability had its clinical onset due to acoustic trauma sustained during his period of service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss disability and TDIU has been remanded due to the need for additional development. The left ear hearing loss issue is also being remanded for clarification of its relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. Bilateral hearing loss is established under continuity of symptomology, while tinnitus is found to be secondary to the service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it is related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new and relevant evidence added to the record since the most recent Supplemental Statement of the Case in June 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. Service connection was not granted due to lack of a diagnosed disability in the left ear or sleep disturbances. The cervical strain and left ankle conditions did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on current evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for broken toes of the right foot, a right foot disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea due to the unavailability of the Veteran's service treatment records. The Veteran is required to be provided with VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression), and erectile dysfunction as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is likely related to his military service, and the claim for this condition is granted.,There is no evidence of a dental disability that warrants compensation. The Veteran’s gum condition does not meet the criteria for VA compensation.,VA examinations are needed to determine if the Veteran has a left knee condition, bilateral foot condition, allergic rhinitis, or sinusitis related to his military service.,VA examinations are needed to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral foot condition is related to his military service.,VA examinations are needed to determine if the Veteran’s sinus conditions (allergic rhinitis and sinusitis) are related to his military service.,No evidence of a preexisting sinus condition prior to service.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, as his lay statements regarding exposure to aircraft engine noise and jet fuel were not considered in the previous opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back pain, neck pain, bilateral ankle and lower leg pain, bilateral knee pain, shin splints, hearing loss, tinnitus, respiratory condition (to include asthma), and skin condition (to include eczema and dermatitis). The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding hearing loss, increased ratings for tinnitus, otitis externa, and hemorrhoids. The Veteran was granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear speech discrimination scores and a need for further audiometric testing. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability is pending, while his service connection for memory loss issue remains unresolved.

The Veteran's hearing loss, left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left shoulder bursitis have been granted service connection. A rating of 20 percent for the left shoulder bursitis has also been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss as there is no current disability found, and thus the criteria for service connection have not been met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, speech disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran is also being asked to provide updated VA treatment records.

The Board has denied service connection for right wrist, eye, and migraine headache disabilities. The Veteran's claim of PTSD is also remanded as the examiner needs to determine if it was caused by a sexual assault during his honorable period of service.