Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an increased rating for coronary artery disease. As a result, these issues are dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's military records show multiple periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA), but the VA examiner did not consider acoustic trauma during these periods.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and dental disability due to incomplete records. The claim for an initial compensable rating for PTSD is also remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus. The case of bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and back condition claims. The Veteran will need to undergo further examination to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure likely caused his current condition. The decision is based on the continuity of symptoms and credible lay statements.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not found to meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and a rating more than 10 percent for tinnitus. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded, as well as his claim for a higher rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder.,The Veteran was not granted service connection for erectile dysfunction due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. His tinnitus disability remains at 10 percent and no further increase in rating is warranted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service acoustic trauma and service connection has been granted.,Bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations. The Veteran’s current symptoms do not warrant an increased rating.,Diabetes mellitus type 2 is characterized by restricted diet and use of oral hypoglycemic agents, but no additional complications are present to warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with chronic fungus infection of the feet during service. A VA examination is needed to determine if this condition was incurred in service or due to another service-connected disability.,An acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) is currently present, but further evaluation by a medical professional is required to determine its etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and failure to address significant in-service threshold shifts.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus. The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) has remanded the case back to the Board for further development as there was not substantial compliance with the December 2016 Board remand.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for tinnitus was granted as the Board found that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of tinnitus, which he reported began during service and has continued from then until now.

The Board has denied the Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and his TDIU claim. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination to determine if he has an acquired psychiatric disorder or headache disability related to his service-connected hearing loss, as well as to assess his employability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence, including a VA audiological examination and VA treatment records from June 2017 to June 2018. The Denver VAMC records from July 2015 to present are also needed.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable due to the presence of Level I hearing acuity in both ears, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service injuries. The claims for these disabilities have been reopened due to new evidence received since the January 2010 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as Level I, which corresponds to a noncompensable rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating and concluded that the current rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and has remanded the issue of service connection for right knee disability. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with no worse than Level I hearing impairment in his left ear. For the right knee disability, the Board found that VA examination was inadequate and ordered a new VA examination to determine if the disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, scars, and headaches due to a lack of service treatment records. The Veteran is asked to provide any relevant medical evidence or lay statements supporting his claims.