Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board found that the Veteran's gastrointestinal, neurological, and hearing disabilities are not related to service or exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current disability. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board denied reopening the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an anxiety disorder not otherwise specified. The decision found no new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or knee disabilities during service, and the preponderance of the evidence fails to establish a present disability as a result of service.,The Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis was not incurred in or caused by his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with the evidence being in equipoise on both issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability, and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board determined that the reduction of the rating from 50 percent to 40 percent was improper and restored the original 50 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn it.

The Board denied higher initial ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine and right knee disabilities, but awarded separate 10 percent ratings for mild incomplete paralysis of the left and right sciatic nerve associated with the lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining addendum opinions regarding the Veteran's asthma and hearing loss claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from engaging in or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD is denied as it was not factually ascertainable that his PTSD had increased to warrant such rating prior to June 27, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a DRO hearing.

The Veteran withdrew his entire appeal prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin conditions, right testicle disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder are not related to his active duty service. The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is also not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability. Service connection for hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence meeting criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work. The case will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling throughout the appeal period.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.