Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD was withdrawn during his June 2015 Board hearing. The claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,Service connection is granted for headaches, as there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence indicating that the Veteran's current headache disorder may be related to events in service.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and COPD are denied as the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran is entitled to financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, as well as a higher rate of special monthly compensation based on his need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities resulting in loss of use of both feet.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, a lung disorder, and a skin disorder. The evidence received since the October 2005 decision is new but not material to reopen these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to service, with a finding in favor of granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to service, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining clarification on whether a Maryland CNC Word Test was used in an August 2015 audiological evaluation and scheduling the Veteran for a new examination to evaluate his current bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is not related to service, as evidenced by a significant change in hearing acuity during his first period of service which was shown to be temporary by subsequent audiograms. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as zero percent disabling since November 21, 2011. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was increased to a 60 percent rating effective January 10, 2012. The current level of disability is not sufficient for an even higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The appeals for service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction are REMANDED.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 10 percent prior to April 21, 2015 and at 20 percent on or after that date. The claim for an evaluation in excess of these ratings is denied. Sleep apnea was not service connected.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records, as well as potential service connection for headaches secondary to tinnitus.

The Board has denied all the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection, finding that May 10, 2010 is the correct date of receipt of his initial claim.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be caused by in-service exposure to excessive and harmful noise, resulting in the grant of service connection for tinnitus. The bilateral hearing loss claim is pending further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea. The left shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent, while the right ankle disability was also rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.