Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board denied the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and cataracts for accrued purposes due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for service connection for tinnitus was not reopened as the submitted evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and sustaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability due to outstanding SSA records. The Veteran's service connection claims for these conditions are pending.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to potential outstanding VA treatment records that may be relevant to the case.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s hearing levels did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6100. The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to inadequate opinion regarding aggravation by asbestosis and onset during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD and TDIU due to potential issues with verifying in-service stressors and a need for further examination regarding employment impact.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine condition, left ankle condition, bilateral pes planus, and COPD. The Veteran's right foot hallux valgus was granted a compensable rating of 10%.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and vasomotor rhinitis have been denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left and right shoulder conditions due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, have been granted. However, his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of current disability. The initial ratings for other conditions are also denied.

The Board has denied service connection for hearing loss and granted a 10% rating for the scar from the caesarian section. The removal of the right fallopian tube and ovary are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's service connection claims for left arm condition, COPD, bilateral lung nodules, left thyroid mass, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand are pending as they require verification of herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, effective December 8, 2015. The Board found no basis for a higher rating prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in November 2005 and again in November 2010. The Veteran did not submit new and material evidence within the appeal period, so both decisions became final. He submitted a request to reopen his claim on April 14, 2014, which resulted in an effective date of that day for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus TDIU benefits are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and coronary atherosclerosis, as well as for TDIU prior to March 11, 2010.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating from November 1, 2016 due to his service-connected disabilities. Prior to that date, the criteria for a TDIU were not met.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA audiological examinations. The Veteran's claims will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is partially remanded due to the need for additional development of records and examinations.