Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 21, 2008.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated and found to correspond to no more than a 0 percent rating, which is the lowest possible rating under VA regulations. The Board denied the claim for an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability is related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's cognitive disorder, panic disorder with agoraphobia, and intermittent explosive disorder have been granted service connection. The Veteran also has current diagnoses for a skin condition and psychiatric disorders (including psychosis and temperament issues).

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred or caused by his active duty service. As a result, the claim for service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The examiner will provide opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hearing loss began during active service, or is related to any incident of service, including noise exposure as an aircraft maintenance specialist.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated and found to be manifested by a puretone threshold average of 41 decibels in the right ear, 63 dB in the left ear, with speech discrimination scores of 88% for the right ear and 78% for the left ear. The VA rating schedule did not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation than 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for bronchitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his in-service respiratory issues and smoking. The other claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran currently has a current diagnosis of tinnitus, and based on credible lay statements concerning the onset and continuity of tinnitus in service, the criteria for service connection are met. Service connection is granted for tinnitus.

The Board has assigned a 50 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss as of November 13, 2017. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's hair loss, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral knee disability, back disability, and left shoulder disability have been granted service connection. The rating for tinnitus has also been granted at a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not service-connected, and his PTSD is granted a 70% rating prior to December 19, 2012. The Veteran is also granted TDIU effective April 21, 2010.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as level I in the right ear and level VI in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board found that these ratings did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been found to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, resulting in a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are related to noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left ear hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not show a worsening of his condition that warrants a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right forearm fracture, left foot spurs, bilateral hearing loss, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and breathing problems (bronchitis), have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability and bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the disabilities and active service.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The current service-connected condition, coronary artery disease (CAD), may prevent him from working.