Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as secondary to her service-connected right ear hearing loss. The issue of an initial compensable rating for her right ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increase in his rating for left ear hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on lumbosacral strain and bilateral hearing loss, as well as seeking an earlier effective date for service connection of lumbosacral strain, have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is not entitled to a compensable rating during the appeal period.,Prior to August 22, 2014, the Veteran's left knee arthroscopy scar was granted a 10 percent evaluation. From August 22, 2014 onwards, his scar is not entitled to any additional compensation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee replacements and degenerative arthritis, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service, including noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as well as failure to establish a nexus between his conditions and military service.

The Board has determined a 70 percent initial disability rating is warranted for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder for the period prior to February 21, 2015. For the period beginning February 21, 2015, an increased rating higher than 70 percent is denied. The Veteran also received a grant of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected due to noise exposure during his active military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient information on their etiology.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that an initial rating higher than 70 percent is not warranted. The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to any decision being made.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship to service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus, must be remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for a new opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, anxiety, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep apnea were denied. The claim for service connection for depression was reopened due to new evidence, but the claim remains denied as there is no link between current psychiatric disorder and service. Bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea were also denied because there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the lack of recent medical records and an updated VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is a direct result of noise exposure during his active service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and granted it, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of the Veteran's claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression). The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus was found to be caused by military noise exposure. Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD and depression.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of a current disability as defined by VA regulatory criteria.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the cases of hypertension and inguinal hernia due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's National Guard service.