Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, and varicose veins of the left lower extremity. The claim for an initial disability rating higher than 30 percent for his acquired psychiatric disability was also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 60 percent effective March 18, 2010. The Board granted this rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left index finger and long finger disabilities, as well as his hearing loss, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than what was already assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and is now remanding the issue of a higher initial disability rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of records related to the Veteran's National Guard service, and for an audiologist examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they were incurred during his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of separation from service and there is no evidence linking the current condition to in-service noise exposure.,There is insufficient credible evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral wrist disability and his active duty service. The Veteran reported that he had wrist pain related to his duties as a teletype operator, but did not seek medical treatment for it during service.,The Veteran also does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral ankle disability linked to service. He testified that he sprained his ankles due to jumping off the tank and marching on rough terrain in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims regarding reduction of his right knee rating and initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The reduction from 30 to 10 percent was found improper, while a 10 percent rating for mild instability in the right knee is granted. For hearing loss, no increase in rating is warranted as there is no evidence of significant decrease in hearing since service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims for skin cancer, sebaceous cysts, heart disease, and COPD are also denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable rating, as his pure tone thresholds and speech recognition scores do not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet schedular criteria for a compensable rating throughout the appeal period and denied his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes and a sleep disorder have been withdrawn. Service connection is not granted for bilateral hearing loss, but established for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and acquired psychiatric conditions, including non-specific depression disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and TB claims are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA criteria.,Right knee patellofemoral syndrome (PFS) was established during service, with the Veteran having a diagnosis in service and ongoing symptoms post-service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as whether these conditions are related to his military service. The case will be remanded for an addendum opinion with a full discussion of the in-service audiograms and other relevant evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss due to lack of current audiometric findings meeting VA criteria for hearing loss.

The Veteran's hearing loss, at worst, was manifested by level II hearing in the right ear and III in the left ear. The criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss have not been met.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for a disability manifested by vertigo.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is not considered a separate disability and was denied service connection. Service connection for right ear hearing loss has been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and left ear hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Service connection was not granted for right ear hearing loss as it did not meet the threshold minimum requirements of 38 C.F.R. § 3.385.