Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and grants service connection for this condition.

Your claims for service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss have been granted by the Appeals Management Center in a November 2017 rating decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have its onset in service and granted service connection. The dermatological disorder, including as due to herbicide agent exposure, is not supported by the evidence presented.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a cervical spine disability are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence. The AOJ will review this evidence and readjudicate the claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, a neck disorder, gastrointestinal disorders, and muscle and joint pain. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance, thus the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound were not met.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable rating prior to December 13, 2016, and in excess of 10 percent therefrom for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as cardiopulmonary arrest due to COPD. The VA examiner found that the service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death or aggravate his COPD.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss did not begin during service and is less likely than not related to his military noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated as noncompensable, and his tinnitus disability was rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 6260.,The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder prior to April 6, 2017 was rated at 30 percent, but from that date forward it is rated at 50 percent. The appeal for a higher rating remains denied.,No specific service connection theory or exposure basis was provided in the decision.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hammertoes, bilateral pes planus (flat foot), rheumatoid arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted. He is now entitled to a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for his back condition, and service connection for his right ankle condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an appropriate VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. An aid and attendance examination will also be scheduled.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, and his bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for PTSD, finding new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for lower back pain, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes, migraines, tinnitus, and maxillary sinusitis have been granted.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable since the date of claim, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active military service, warranting the grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal regarding increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been dismissed due to the Veteran indicating he would like to withdraw his appeal for the issue of increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service. Service connection was also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder and sleep disorder), but this issue is being remanded due to a need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus are related to service, with the exception of his left ear hearing loss which is not considered aggravated by service. The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be related to in-service noise exposure.