Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, as his physical limitations are manageable in a sedentary job environment.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnoses of left ear sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to noise exposure in service, and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain all relevant medical records and a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral pes planus. However, due to conflicting opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current hearing loss, a new medical opinion is needed to determine whether it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders are related to his military service, but the bilateral knee and foot conditions may not be. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also related to service.,The Veteran has a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder (schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type with psychotic symptoms) that likely had its onset during or is otherwise related to his period of active duty from 1973 to 1979.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records and medical opinions regarding his hepatitis C, bilateral hearing loss, and hemorrhoids.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in the previous VA examination opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is required to provide an addendum opinion from a qualified professional.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus in September 2008, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities were not related to his active service. The claim was reopened based on new evidence received since then, but the Board found no causal relationship between the disabilities and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his exposure to loud noise during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus between his symptoms and service. The appeal for these claims is denied.

The Board found that the reduction in the disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from 30 percent to 20 percent was not proper, and denied a claim for an increased rating.

The VA determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not warrant higher evaluations based on the provided evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings on several conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss, osteoarthritis of the ankles or knees, hypertension, or gastritis for VA benefits purposes. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Hepatitis C is not related to service, and his bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected right knee disabilities have been denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5257 (for internal derangement) or 5010-5260 (for arthritis).