Hearing loss decisions — 2018

Entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was manifested by no worse than Level III loss for the right ear, and no worse than Level IV loss for the left ear on Table VII.,Entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension is denied. Throughout the period of appeal, the Veteran required medication for control of hypertension but diastolic readings during the initial rating period have not been predominantly 110 or more and systolic pressure readings during the initial rating period have not been predominantly 200 or more.,Entitlement to a rating in excess of 0 percent for erectile dysfunction is denied. The Veteran's service-connected erectile dysfunction has not manifested as any penile deformity.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss did not manifest during or as a result of his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gastrointestinal condition to include GERD, right hand and thumb injured in service to include arthritis, and low back condition are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further examination.

The claim of service connection for hypertension is reopened and granted.,The claims of service connection for residuals of a left ankle sprain, carpal tunnel syndrome in the right wrist (to include as a result of burn scar), low back disability, right ear hearing loss, erectile dysfunction associated with prostate cancer, residuals of third degree burns on the right hand, and limitation of motion of the right wrist are not reopened.,The claim of service connection for prostate cancer is granted effective from May 29, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The issues include hearing loss, sinusitis, rhinitis, COPD, headaches, sleep apnea, arthritis conditions, eye disabilities, circulatory problems, neuropathy, radiculopathy, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, hip disabilities, psychiatric disorders, lumbar spine disability, knee disabilities, and other unspecified conditions.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because there is no evidence that the condition was caused by in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also denied as he does not meet the schedular requirements and has not provided information about his employment status.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were denied as not related to service.,Service connection for a heart disorder (manifested as arrhythmia) and hypertension was granted, with the latter being aggravated by diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination, and a new examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further examination is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hyperlipidemia, ischemic heart disease (IHD), hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as it was determined that his pre-existing hearing loss disability did not worsen during service and is not related to military noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examination in 2015. The Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and symptomatology will be considered, along with audiograms from his military records.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral eye condition, finding that the Veteran's refractive errors and cataracts are not related to military service.,The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, attributing it to noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and diverticulitis due to incomplete evidence, including a lack of recent audiometric test results. The Veteran will need to provide authorization for release of his employee health records containing these results.

The Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for PTSD is granted. The Board also remanded the claims for bilateral knee disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service, with the exception of a March 2013 letter from Dr. N.O., which was not given much weight due to lack of review of the claims file.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period. The evidence shows that his hearing loss is currently at Level I in both ears, which corresponds to a noncompensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a higher initial rating for allergic rhinitis. The Veteran did not have current hearing loss disability or nasal polyps, which are required for a hearing loss disability for VA purposes. For allergic rhinitis, the evidence showed no greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides due to rhinitis or complete obstruction of one side, and no polyps.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied because the evidence does not show that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.