Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed right ear hearing loss disability as defined in VA regulations. The Veteran's prostatitis was found to be at least as likely as not incurred during service, but further clarification is needed regarding its timing and relationship to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining private medical records.

The Board has remanded the TDIU issue due to non-compliance with its directive and for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been granted a 10 percent evaluation from July 12, 2010. The claim for TDIU is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, hypertension, hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship to service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have current diagnoses of PTSD or hearing loss, and his tinnitus was not linked to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and left knee degenerative changes, as well as a separate rating for left knee extension contracture. The claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was also denied. No effective date is provided.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, hypertension, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, hepatitis A, and erectile dysfunction. Special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was withdrawn.,The Veteran is entitled to a 30 percent rating for bilateral temporomandibular dysfunction prior to October 7, 2014 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter. ,The Veteran is entitled to a 30 percent rating for migraine headaches prior to October 9, 2014 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter.,The Veteran is entitled to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service connection claims for PTSD, hearing loss, and arthritis are not supported by the provided information. The Veteran has been granted new evidence to reopen his claim for fibromyalgia, but no rating assigned due to lack of supporting documentation or evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to address the etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus claims. Additionally, he must be provided with a statement of the case concerning his psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disability, and TDIU claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA audiologic examination and obtaining updated treatment records.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be proximately due to his service-connected PTSD. The Board also finds that a rating in excess of 10 percent for diverticulosis and left lower extremity radiculopathy is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and left leg sciatica with intervertebral disc syndrome established. Effective July 25, 2012, he was awarded a 30 percent rating for adjustment disorder with mixed emotions and conduct, depression and primary insomnia (claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder). The Veteran's effective dates are granted for the service connection determinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss disability is service-connected, as it was incurred during his active military service. The right ear hearing loss claim is denied because there is no evidence of a pre-existing condition that worsened during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for memory loss, right ear hearing loss, and sleep apnea. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for memory loss, and that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service for right ear hearing loss or sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is more likely related to post-service noise exposure and not due to his military service. The claims for headaches and bilateral hearing loss were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss since June 26, 2006, effective March 21, 2005. The previous claim of an increased rating was denied prior to that date.