Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is found to be at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and SMC based on aid and attendance was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support total social impairment due to PTSD, but rather a finding of occupational impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo (dizziness) has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 0 percent, as the audiometric results do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right shoulder disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his previously disallowed claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that no new and material evidence had been received since the June 2012 decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss, vision disability, and increased rating for right ear hearing loss have all been denied.,There is no current evidence of a hearing or vision disability in the record.

The Veteran's hyperthyroidism is granted as service-connected due to exposure to low iodine in the drinking water during his Vietnam service.,Service connection for PTSD is granted based on combat experience and reported stressors. Depression secondary to coronary artery disease and PTSD is also granted.,Bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.,Ischemic heart disease due to thyroid disability is presumed service-connected, but the Veteran's heart disability was not diagnosed by medical professionals during his lifetime. Secondary service connection for depression is granted.

The Board has determined that a referral to the Director of Compensation Service is required for an extraschedular TDIU evaluation prior to March 1, 2016 due to plausible evidence indicating the Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's initial hearing loss ratings for both ears are denied, and his claim for service connection of PTSD is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the claimed stressors.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for various conditions, and the reopening of claims for right knee disorder and left knee disorder. The Veteran's claims are now pending again.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, neck condition, and right hip condition is denied.,Service connection for depressive disorder is dismissed due to a grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected heart condition and other disabilities have affected his ability to work, leading him to retire early in 2006. The Board finds that the Veteran may be unemployable due to his service-connected heart condition prior to January 2008.

The Board denied service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, granted a remand for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, and remanded the issue of service connection for sinus condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran also meets the requirements for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

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

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, headaches, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy (left upper extremity), peripheral neuropathy (right upper extremity), peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve, left lower extremity), peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve, right lower extremity), and peripheral neuropathy (femoral nerve, left lower extremity) are all denied. The Board has remanded the claims for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, chronic lumbar strain with arthritis and degenerative disc disease, left knee condition, right knee condition, left leg shin splints, and right leg shin splints due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for adjustment disorder and tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, left ankle disability, left foot disability, and TBI. The appeals for these issues are dismissed.