Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of his claims, including a heart disability claim due to presumed herbicide exposure.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable initial rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss, meniscal tears and osteoarthritis of the left knee, and meniscal tears and osteoarthritis of the right knee are all found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus had their onset during his active service, specifically due to combat-related noise exposure. As such, the claims for service connection are granted.

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

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a disability that warrants a higher rating.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 50 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, effective September 1, 2016. The evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable under the VA rating schedule. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss. The Board also found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is likely related to his noise exposure during active duty service, thus granting service connection.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and a back/neck disability. The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lower back pain, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are service-connected, with no new or material evidence found to reopen the claim for GERD.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of evidence is against finding a link between the Veteran's current sinusitis, bronchitis and low back disability with his military service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore service connection cannot be granted.

The case is being remanded due to non-compliance with the Board's previous directives, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 20, 2017. Prior to that date, the claim was denied.,PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, but his diabetes mellitus is not.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of entitlement to higher ratings or service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disabilities and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.