Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim.,Service connection was granted for erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus. The Board found in favor of the Veteran based on the presence of current disability and symptomatology related to his service-connected condition.,The effective date for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus was denied as there was no evidence of a claim prior to August 14, 2012.,An initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,A higher than 70 percent rating for PTSD was denied as there were no additional symptoms or complications beyond those already established by service connection.,The Board found that the Veteran had not provided new and material evidence to reopen his claim of service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The Board found that the evidence supported a link between these conditions and his military service, including exposure to noise during combat.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are etiologically related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The Board also found that he had a current diagnosis of bilateral knee conditions, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and denied service connection for swollen bilateral ankles.,Service connection was granted for hearing loss and tinnitus due to exposure to loud noises during service. The bilateral knee conditions, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma were not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to an inadequate examination, as the examiner did not consider the Veteran's reports of long-standing symptoms prior to his VA examination.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is granted as it became manifest during service. The left ear hearing loss disability is denied as the pre-existing condition did not increase in severity during service.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss in the left ear is denied. The Veteran's service-connected right knee mild medial lateral instability and strain are both granted with a maximum rating of 20 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back condition due to insufficient evidence. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the Veteran's failure to appear at a scheduled DRO hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical opinions regarding his ability to work, and further development of federal personnel records and SSA disability records.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a lower back disability, bilateral hearing loss due to acoustic trauma, left ear infections, and tinnitus. The Veteran's separation examination took place in May 1975, but he alleges that he was involved in a motor vehicle accident during service. Additional records from Germany are needed, as well as VA examinations to determine the etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and need for additional opinions regarding the etiology of his disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Bilateral hearing loss is considered aggravated by service, while tinnitus is found to be a symptom of the now-service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right ankle degenerative joint disease have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, service connection cannot be established as there is no evidence showing a current disability or that any diagnosed conditions are related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his active service, but additional evidence is needed for other conditions. The Veteran will need to provide updated treatment records and undergo a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 4, 2013.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for left ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service acoustic trauma, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, low blood pressure, and blisters as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.