Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, shrapnel wounds, and hearing loss are found to be so disabling that they prevent him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment. The TDIU is granted as of August 27, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service, and therefore service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no direct nexus to service, and the evidence did not support a finding of in-service noise exposure or chronicity of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is not rated higher than non-compensable, as his puretone thresholds and speech recognition scores do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for a back disability. For the other conditions, the Board determined there was no in-service injury or disease related to these disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot disability (plantar fasciitis), high cholesterol, hernia, basal cell cancer, purpura of the distal forearms, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and unspecified depressive disorder. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, PTSD, diabetes, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to work since June 1, 2011. The Board has ordered additional development to determine the combined impact of these conditions on his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD with major depressive disorder, type 2 diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unemployable as of January 19, 2012. The Board granted the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from that date.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for gastroesophageal reflux disease, bilateral hearing loss, left wrist strain, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling him for VA examinations to assess his bilateral hearing loss and bilateral chronic plantar keratosis.

The Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of current disability in the left ear. For tinnitus, there is no evidence of a nexus between active service and the condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The issue of tinnitus is withdrawn by the Veteran, and the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA audiological examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss, and a VA neurological examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left ulnar nerve palsy status post transposition.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and service connection claims have been denied. His tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and he does not have any diagnosed ear disabilities other than his service-connected tinnitus and hearing loss.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for a compensable rating for generalized periodontitis and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea before the Board could issue a decision. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative joint disease of the right hip, left hip, right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, cervical spine, and lumbar spine. However, it has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence establishing a current disability and/or a link between the claimed conditions and service. The Board found that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim for PTSD, but did not find any material evidence relating to the left hip disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial noncompensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and the maximum schedular disability rating of 10 percent for tinnitus are maintained.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his in-service noise exposure and denied his claim for service connection.