Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for bilateral hearing loss. The claim of service connection for hypertension is denied as there is no evidence showing that the condition was incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left leg disability was denied. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and depression NOS were partially granted, with the hearing loss rating being initially at 20 percent effective June 7, 2017, and the depression rating remaining at 50 percent. A TDIU was granted effective June 15, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left leg disability, an initial rating for bilateral hearing loss, and depression NOS were denied. The Board found no current diagnosed disability in the left leg. For bilateral hearing loss, the evidence did not support ratings higher than 20 percent. For depression NOS, the Veteran was granted a 50% initial rating.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition including Major Depressive Disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and TBI have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,For the compensable rating claim for residuals of fracture, left 4th metacarpal midshaft, a VA x-ray is needed.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for frostbite of the feet was denied. The claims for left knee disorder and right ear hearing loss were granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected headaches. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to headaches is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's active duty exposure to aircraft noise during his time as an aircraft mechanic is considered.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for any higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating prior to May 23, 2016, for lumbosacral spine (low back disability) degenerative joint disease was granted. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as well as the issue of service connection for vertigo were remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected, with the Board finding that these conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and testicular pain. The decision is based on direct service connection as there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition or aggravation during service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, cardiac disability (atrial fibrillation), and PTSD have all been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a current disability in any of these areas.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been found to most closely approximate a 70% rating, but his bilateral hearing loss claim has been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals, and the Board dismissed all claims due to the withdrawal.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, and his bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable. The TDIU claim has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal seeking to reopen a claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss has been granted. Service connection for a psychiatric disability is also granted. The issues regarding the rating in excess of 20 percent for a back disability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to service.