Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The right knee disability, PTSD, and TDIU issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to two close range concussive injuries sustained in service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability, including left ear and bilateral hearing loss, is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable rating for his hearing loss prior to July 6, 2016 or as of July 6, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that either condition was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back condition and granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for left knee, right knee, and chronic headaches.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's puretone thresholds did not meet criteria for higher ratings under VA's tables for rating hearing loss disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as related to in-service stressors, including fear of hostile military activity. The Board also found that the evidence supports a grant of service connection for PTSD due to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further examination. Diabetes mellitus remains at 20% disability rating and TDIU is also on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include an evaluation for a cyst, hearing loss, skin cancer, and a left foot condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and DDD of the lumbar spine were denied. The claim for increased rating for hypertension was also denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for fungus of the hands and fingers, left foot fungus, right foot onychomycosis, tinea cruris, and bilateral sacroiliitis. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a throat disorder are granted. The claims for service connection for right knee chondromalacia, urticaria, alcoholism and drug abuse, and a psychiatric disability to include PTSD are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for obstructive sleep apnea is granted at a 50% rating, effective from the date of service connection. The Veteran's tension headaches are granted an initial 30% rating as of September 25, 2014. No other conditions have been granted or denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, with noise exposure during decommissioning ships. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has determined that there is at least a 50/50 chance (equipoise) that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically exposure to loud noises during his time in Vietnam. As such, the claim for service connection for these conditions has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he is only marginally employed due to his disabilities.

The Board has denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for PTSD. The decision on the hearing loss claim is pending, while the PTSD claim is currently being remanded.