Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the hearing loss meeting VA compensation criteria and the tinnitus manifesting within one year of discharge.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC for aid and attendance and/or housebound benefits, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless as to require regular aid and attendance from another person.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability has been denied as the audiometric testing results do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to October 27, 2015. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating and denied the claim for an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, heart disease, prostate hypertrophy, chloracne, diabetes mellitus, type II, and headaches have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The appeal for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure and service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied left ear hearing loss. The decision is based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran during his January 2017 Board hearing.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent since December 15, 2014. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a right knee condition and entitlement to an increased rating for left knee degenerative joint disease due to potential inextricably intertwined with TDIU.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, parotid tumor, and bladder cancer is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and analysis.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as secondary to his right ear hearing loss. Service connection for hypertension and left ear hearing loss are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including exposure to noise during basic training and advanced infantry training. As a result, the appeal for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a 70% rating, but no higher.

The reduction of the evaluation for bilateral hearing loss from 20 percent to noncompensable effective July 1, 2010, was proper due to clear and unmistakable error in the initial award.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus are granted as related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was dismissed due to his death.