Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not rise to a level warranting a compensable disability rating, and thus denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current low back disorder or heart disorder related to service, and his bilateral hearing loss is not shown to be present. As such, the claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran was not found to be unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities prior to March 8, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for PTSD and OSA were denied. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss have not been met, and there is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder at any point pertinent to the current claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated as 10% from August 16, 2012. The Board found that the Veteran is entitled to this rating based on his audiometric test results.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10% since September 2014. However, a March 2018 private audiometry examination showed that the Veteran is entitled to a 90% evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination and updated outpatient treatment records.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for various conditions, but denied them on the merits.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The reduction from 50 to 20 percent was upheld.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable due to the level of acuity, which did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, as evidenced by normal hearing test results during and after service. The Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service noise exposure are considered credible but do not establish a link between his current condition and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment since July 1, 2013.

The reduction of the rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss from 10 percent to 0 percent was not in compliance with regulatory provisions, and a restoration of the 10 percent rating is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension and headaches are service-connected. Service connection for a groin disability, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral shin splints, skin disorder, and erectile dysfunction is not established. The Veteran has an extraschedular rating for his lumbar spine condition and the claim for a higher PTSD rating was denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for his bilateral knee conditions, PTSD, or hearing loss/tinnitus.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD as a result of his combat service in Vietnam. His hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Board found that the appellant's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss did not worsen during his period of active duty or ACDUTRA, and was not caused by his service-connected tinnitus. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss as there was no evidence of a link between the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current condition.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and service connection is granted.,Service connection is also granted for a right knee disability. The Veteran's left shoulder disability remains at the initial 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensably disabling, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.