Hearing loss decisions — 2018

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. Service connection claims for other conditions are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, but have been attributed to pre-existing conditions or other causes. The claim for hearing loss of the left ear is denied, while the claim for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran will need to undergo a VA examination to determine the current severity of his BHL and whether his tinnitus is caused or aggravated by his service-connected BHL.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and sleep apnea, are likely to render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision on any of the issues.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for irritable bowel syndrome and hearing loss were dismissed. A rating of 20 percent, but no more, was granted for the service-connected irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss as his measured bilateral hearing loss was not shown to be worse than Level III for both ears.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to be obtained and the appeal must be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable due to the severity of his hearing impairment, which is currently at Level I in both ears.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for left eye aphakia are now pending.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disorder as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral high frequency hearing loss as new and material evidence was not received, and the condition is considered a pre-existing disorder that was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety) are found to be related to his service.,Service connection is granted for left knee degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, foot fungus, and headaches.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for a new VA opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to conflicting opinions and missing records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but the claims for residuals of a lower back injury and an increased evaluation for post-operative pterygia are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's spouse was not added to his compensation award prior to June 1, 2011 due to the lack of timely submission of a VA Form 21-686(c) declaration.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at the lowest possible non-compensable level.,Tinnitus has been assigned a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, which cannot be increased further under current criteria.,Sleep apnea is currently rated at the highest available schedular rating (50%), and no higher rating is warranted based on the evidence provided.,The Veteran's heart disorder is currently rated at 30%, with no higher rating being granted due to lack of specific findings supporting a higher level of disability.,PTSD has been rated as 30% prior to October 31, 2013, and 50% thereafter. No higher ratings are warranted based on the evidence provided.