Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's hearing loss was found to be at Level IV in the right ear and Level II in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board denied an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for depression, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to a lack of current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was also denied an initial compensable rating as the audiometric findings did not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for swollen joints, lumbar strain and calcification in the thoracic and lumbar spine, left hip disability, cracked sternum, bilateral hearing loss, and dizziness and fainting as there was no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disorder, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss due to deficiencies in the VA examination opinions. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms will be considered, and new VA examinations are needed to address the issues.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a lack of an examination for left ear hearing loss and because new evidence may be relevant to reopening claims for depression and anxiety. The Veteran's service records show he served aboard Naval vessels, which could have exposed him to noise during his active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a scheduled hearing loss examination. The claim will be rescheduled and proper notice must be provided.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo secondary to bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral shin splints, right ear hearing loss disability, lumbar spine disability, hypertension, and headache due to potential errors in the previous VA examinations. The Veteran's current conditions are being reviewed with a focus on their onset during service or their relationship to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied an increased rating based on the February 2010 VA examination results.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing a current disability, and the valvular disorder was not shown to be related to service or any service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for Portid Hard Valve Replacement of the Mitral Valve (Valvular Disorder) was also denied as there is no direct evidence linking it to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, as well as their relationship to service and Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, so the Board has dismissed these cases.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's intermittent ringing in his ears since service is related to his military service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or link to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and depression, but has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and conduct a new examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for tinnitus was granted, and the Veteran is now entitled to service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's SMC claim based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to service-connected disabilities was denied because his non-service-connected conditions resulted in his inability to perform activities of daily living, not his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The Veteran's PTSD, testicular cancer, and diabetes mellitus type II are not granted as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right hip disabilities, hearing loss, PTSD, left knee disability, right knee disability, left leg disability, right leg disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability. The Veteran's appeals are also remanded for development in relation to his service connection for respiratory disorders and hypertension.