Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was proximately due or aggravated by his previously service-connected disabilities, including hypertension and atrial fibrillation. The examiner is also asked to consider the medical significance of the Veteran's reported decrease in hearing after sustaining a stroke, as well as whether strokes can cause hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran cancelling a scheduled VA audiological examination and requesting that it be rescheduled. The decision also notes that relevant VA and private treatment records should be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss.,An initial disability rating of 20 percent, but no greater, for DDD of the lumbar spine with IVDS from June 30, 2014 is granted. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating due to lack of forward flexion and IVDS episodes.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis is denied as the evidence does not support a rating greater than 20 percent.,An initial disability rating of 30 percent, but no greater, for posttraumatic headaches from June 30, 2014 is granted.

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the Board found no basis to grant a higher rating based on his service-connected condition.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on service-connected conditions. The Board has determined that the claim must be remanded for extraschedular referral to the Director of Compensation Service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining claims of service connection for a back disability, sinus disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is related to in-service acoustic trauma. The decision does not establish a specific rating or effective date.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU claim prior to June 25, 2019 are both remanded due to incomplete audiometry results.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 18, 2018 for tinnitus is denied.,The claims for reopening of service connection for thyroid cancer and abdominal aortic aneurysm are granted.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for renal cancer, COPD, back injury with bilateral nerve impairment, acid reflux, IBS, left leg injury/muscle injury, right leg injury/muscle injury, shrapnel wounds on back and legs, disability of the sternum, soft tissue sarcoma, and diabetes mellitus type II are all denied.,Service connection for PTSD is granted from January 18, 2018 to January 10, 2019 with a rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including consideration of new VA treatment records and hospitalization reports. The issues include rating adjustments for various conditions and service connection for additional disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The case is REMANDED to obtain addendum opinions regarding the Veteran's hypertension, heart disorder (claimed as ischemic heart disease), and TDIU claims.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with additional evidence and opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is assigned a noncompensable (0 percent) rating prior to September 24, 2015 and a 40 percent disability rating thereafter. The Board denied the claim for higher ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and TDIU prior to August 27, 2015. The evidence did not support a finding that his sleep apnea was related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorder. Additionally, the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of right ear hearing loss and its relation to service. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with a new opinion from a VA clinician.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than August 4, 2014 for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been reopened due to new evidence relating to a nexus to service or service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened due to new evidence relating to a nexus to service or service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and headaches have been remanded as the current severity of these conditions needs to be determined.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss due to outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and various other conditions are granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current disabilities were related to his military service.