Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss do not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus and a heart condition other than hypertension, were denied. The claim for service connection for a dental condition was also denied. Service connection for residuals of a left elbow fracture is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding no causal relationship to in-service noise exposure or diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA audiometric testing and a psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim of increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss is pending, while his service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder remains unresolved.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as an earlier effective date for service connection, were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not file a claim before October 2, 2012, for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and severance of service connection was granted. The Veteran received a 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease, which is the maximum allowed under current regulations. Service connection for left ear hearing loss was restored due to improper severance. The Veteran also received TDIU benefits effective July 28, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability but granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements about noise exposure and subsequent symptoms, with no other intervening acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's acne scars are granted a rating of 10% prior to June 26, 2017. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for right ear hearing loss due to potential conflicting opinions.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all his pending claims, including those for bilateral hearing loss, COPD, and asbestos plaques. As a result, the appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of their onset during service or within one year after separation. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 23, 2017 was denied. From March 23, 2017 onwards, the Veteran received a 10 percent rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is associated with his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, thoracolumbar spine disorder (back disorder), left knee disorder, right knee disorder, toe disorder, and bilateral foot disorder have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence showing a link between the condition and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing disability is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine, left knee, and left ankle disorders as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left foot disorder. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus is also granted.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's claims of reopening his service connection for left ear hearing loss, cardiovascular disorder, and bilateral foot disorder are being remanded due to the need for a statement of the case.

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to incomplete medical opinions.