Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability and bilateral hearing loss as there is no competent medical evidence of current disabilities, and the Veteran's subjective complaints do not meet the criteria for functional impairment.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cardiac disability, hypothyroidism, and hypertension as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.,There are no records showing the appellant had any diagnosed conditions during his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not found to be related to service, while his tinnitus was considered incurred in service.

The Veteran's initial rating for mood disorder is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also denied due to his ability to engage in substantially gainful employment despite service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left wrist fracture and left ear hearing loss due to inadequate notice.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.,Service connection for cardiovascular disability (hyperlipidemia) is denied. The Veteran's hyperlipidemia is a laboratory result and not considered a showing of disability.

The Board has granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's PTSD is linked to an in-service stressor, while his BHL and tinnitus are not attributable to his active military service.

The Veteran's hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination in June 2015. He is being asked to provide another VA audiological evaluation that adheres to VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is being remanded for further evaluation due to inconsistencies in his responses and the need for an otology examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of left arm, wrist, and hand injuries as well as bilateral hearing loss and sinus condition. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to any decision being made.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. The claims are now remanded for further development including VA examinations.

The Board has granted disability ratings for the service-connected low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claim was reopened due to new evidence received since the prior final October 2010 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension, secondary to his service-connected PTSD, is denied. His claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted with a 10% disability evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the issues of increased rating for left ear hearing loss and service connection for right ear hearing loss have become moot.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for the merits of the claims.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened, but denied due to lack of evidence supporting the claims. The decision is mixed as some issues are granted and others are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is also being remanded for an examination to determine if his current disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on his current audiometric test results.