Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not service-connected as it pre-existed service and did not worsen during service.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is service-connected as it is at least as likely as not related to complaints of chronic back pain during service.

The Veteran's joint pain is not attributable to service.,There is no current diagnosis of leg cramps related to military training.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, which is presumed to be related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding all issues related to service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, hypertension, acid reflux, ischemic heart disease, a scar from heart surgery, and a residual scar on the left knee. The appeal was dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for TBI due to lack of a current diagnosis, while granting service connection for aggravated bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection was granted for the aggravation of existing right and left ear hearing loss during active service.

The Veteran's glioblastoma is related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents, and the Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The issue of service connection for glioblastoma and bilateral hearing loss for accrued benefits purposes is remanded due to a request for substitution as claimant.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's end stage dementia was related to his military service and service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and CAD. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as new and material evidence was not received.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and service.,Service connection for dermatitis or eczema (claimed as dermatitis) is dismissed as already granted in a previous rating decision.,The Veteran's claims for stage IV prostate cancer with obstructive nephropathy, multiple myeloma, and type 2 diabetes mellitus are all granted due to exposure to Agent Orange during service.,Service connection is granted for multiple myeloma due to exposure to Agent Orange.,Service connection is granted for type 2 diabetes mellitus due to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's appeal was denied because his substantive appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as low back disorder, was not timely filed. The Board also found that the VA examination related to the low back disorder was inadequate.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has not met the criteria for a compensable rating since December 19, 2003. The Board found that his audiometric test results did not support a compensable rating and concluded there was no basis for staged ratings.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for a new VA audiological examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss, glaucoma, and lung disorder.

The Veteran was granted service connection for depression and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. For depression, the Board found that the Veteran's various service-connected disabilities are more likely than not causing his depressive disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's right heel disability, bilateral hearing loss, ulcer/GERD, irritable bowel syndrome, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) are all remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. However, the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Board has decided that the VA's decision to continue a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is incorrect and needs to be reconsidered based on new evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for lower back strain with degenerative disc disease, and compensable initial evaluations for residuals of left thumb fracture and bilateral hearing loss. The appeal as to a skin condition of the nose is remanded.

The rating reduction for PTSD from 70 percent to 30 percent was proper, and the denial of a higher rating for hearing loss is upheld.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied because the evidence received since the December 2010 rating decision does not meet the regulatory criteria for a disability due to hearing impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the aggravation of a pre-existing condition by military noise exposure. The Veteran's hearing loss was not caused or aggravated during his active duty, but it is now considered worse than when he entered service.