Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, GERD, hematuria, fibromyalgia, ulcer, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left shoulder disability, nerve damage to the left hand, arms, and feet, and right hand disability have been denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors and no link between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have not rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's compensation benefits were reduced due to incarceration, resulting in an overpayment. The AOJ must provide a detailed audit of the overpayment and explain its calculation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated medical records, as his hearing loss has reportedly worsened during the pendency of this appeal.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sinusitis due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for all four conditions.,Tinnitus was found to be at least as likely as not caused by noise exposure during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left-ear hearing loss and OSA were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service. The VA examiner concluded there was no evidence to support onset of hearing loss during his reserve service activations, nor did it link the current conditions to his military service.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus is likely related to his service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss from June 7, 2013 to March 30, 2016 was denied. The Board found that there is no clinical evidence to rate the nature and extent of the appellant's sensorineural hearing loss during this period in accordance with VA regulation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military service.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is not found to be related to his service-connected anaphylactic bee sting allergy, but he is granted TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, but his claim for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to non-compliance with previous remands. The appellant and her representative will be provided a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective March 12, 2010. The Veteran contends that a higher rating is warranted due to his symptoms being more severe than what is contemplated by the current evaluation.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, effective June 23, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as he does not have a current disability. The claim for service connection for presbyopia and cataracts with possible solar burns manifested as retinal pigment epithelial defects (bilateral eye disability) is remanded due to the need for an additional examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are currently evaluated as zero percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, as there is no indication that his service-connected conditions render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not service-connected.,For the scars to head and left eyebrow, the evidence does not show that they meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.