Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, with the benefit of doubt favoring the Veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensably (zero percent) disabling. The Board finds that the findings of the VA audiological examinations do not support a compensable disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss at any time during the appeal period. For the service connection and TDIU issues, additional evidence is needed to determine the severity of PTSD and whether other psychiatric disorders are related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right foot condition and service-connected bilateral hearing loss are granted, but his claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a current disability related to active service, including noise exposure.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, resulting in a total disability rating based on unemployability.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinion are insufficient to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service. The case is being remanded for a new examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating based on his audiometric test results.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current disability meeting VA compensation criteria.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence does not show a link between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development of his claims, including a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and PTSD.

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected hemorrhoids was denied as the condition is already at its maximum schedular rating. The Veteran's hearing loss has been remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions addressing whether the current conditions are a delayed response to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for service connection were denied.,For left ear hearing loss, the Veteran was not granted a compensable rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss and increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus. The claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted, but only as secondary to diabetes mellitus and/or PTSD.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and OSA. The issues of right knee disability, low back disability, and right foot or ankle disability are remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 30 percent for bipolar II disorder, PTSD, and generalized anxiety disorder prior to July 8, 2014, and in excess of 70 percent from July 8, 2014, were dismissed. The appeal seeking entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was remanded.