Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims. The Veteran is therefore not entitled to an initial compensable evaluation for either condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and a psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and therefore denied his claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, COPD, and a skin condition. The decision is based on lack of evidence of exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) during his active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder. Service connection is granted for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and sinus condition (allergic rhinitis).

The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his in-service noise exposure and resolved temporary hearing issues at entry, thus denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, insomnia, and variously diagnosed psychiatric disorder are all service-connected. The Veteran is assigned a 100% rating for his psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes. The Board finds that service connection is not warranted for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, lower back disorder, weight loss as an undiagnosed illness, and joint pain as an undiagnosed illness have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or a causal link to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has remained stable and warrants a zero percent rating for the entire appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right shoulder disability are related to his military service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA audiological examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left ear hearing loss, including whether it is at least as likely as not that the preexisting condition worsened during service or was caused by service-connected tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his herpes simplex did not meet criteria for a compensable rating due to constant or near-constant treatment. The VA examiner concluded that his hearing loss does not qualify as a disability under VA regulations. Service connection was also denied for depression, left shoulder arthritis, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an examination, as well as a review of service records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was manifested by no more than Level I for the right ear and Level II for the left ear, resulting in a finding that his disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board found no evidence of a hearing loss disability at separation from service and insufficient medical opinion to establish a nexus between current bilateral hearing loss and active service. For tinnitus, the Veteran's statements regarding onset were deemed not credible.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and scars, residual of hernia repair.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for VA examinations to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no current disability as defined by VA regulations and thus not meeting the criteria for a compensable degree of sensorineural hearing loss.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is 80 percent, and the evidence indicates that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.