Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was evaluated as noncompensable for the entire appeal period. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects his symptoms and did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code. Therefore, an initial compensable rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion, and a new examination is required to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantial gainful employment, effective May 11, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection, hypertension is denied as secondary to a service-connected disability and bilateral hearing loss is rated at zero percent prior to May 25, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and service connection for bilateral hearing loss were withdrawn. The Board found no current diagnoses or evidence of a left shoulder, left arm, or left hip disability. Service connection was not established for tinnitus due to lack of in-service exposure.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the initial ratings for bipolar disorder with PTSD, left ear hearing loss, and residual scar of the left jaw.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right nephrectomy, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service concussive injury. The issue of hearing loss, right ear, was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus had an onset in service and is related to his active duty. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that he has current hearing loss or tinnitus as a result of service, but acknowledges noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred in, or caused by, his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease, and current disabilities are not causally related to service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been reopened. The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus but declined to reopen the claim of hypertension on the merits.

The Board has remanded the case for further procedural action regarding the restoration of a 60 percent disability rating for the service-connected bilateral hearing loss, including whether the reduction in compensation from 60 percent to 40 percent was proper. The issue of service connection for stomach ulcers and TDIU is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is due to noise exposure during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae, sleep apnea (as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder), bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorder were all granted service connection. The Veteran was assigned a noncompensable disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss and is entitled to an initial schedular rating of 30 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, right and left knee disorders, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD. The decision also addressed other issues such as increased ratings for foot disabilities and entitlement to additional compensation benefits for dependent sons.

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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, DM, and PTSD. The Veteran's current conditions are presumed to be associated with his exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during active duty service.,Service connection is granted for a low back disorder and left knee disorder, as these conditions were noted upon entrance into the Veteran's period of active duty service and further developed during his service.