Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and depressive disorder is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and inguinal hernia residuals do not warrant compensable ratings.

The Veteran's appeal includes a request for an increased rating for hearing loss and the propriety of reducing his current 10 percent rating to 0 percent effective November 1, 2015. The Board has determined that additional development is needed before this case can be properly adjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including CLL, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, hypertension, headaches, GERD, lumbar spine disorder, shoulder disorders, hip disorders, leg disorders, and a psychiatric disorder are denied. The effective dates for the awards of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not established as prior to January 23, 2014.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for bilateral hearing loss and concluding that the Veteran's PTSD does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, which arise from a common etiology, render him unemployable due to his profound hearing loss that significantly impacts his ability to communicate with others. The Board grants entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and a low back disorder. The claim for service connection for a low back disorder is now substantiated as there is evidence of a current disability related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were initially denied in 2008. After the receipt of additional service treatment records, including some from his Air Force Reserve period, the VA granted service connection effective November 21, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, finding no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing disabilities and his military service. The claim for TDIU was not addressed as it is pending.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on a verified in-service stressor, effective from the date of receipt of the original claim (July 2, 2004). The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus remain pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 40 percent since April 21, 2014 to May 19, 2017. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted for this period.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA standards, and the Board found that his claimed hearing loss did not manifest in service or within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and fecal leakage residual from anal fistula and anal abscesses were both denied by the Board. The Veteran's hearing loss was rated as noncompensable, while his fecal leakage was rated at 30 percent.

The Board denied reopening the claims of service connection for hypertension, bilateral knee disability, diabetes mellitus type II (DM II), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a back disability. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his Vietnam service were found to be not supported by the record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are granted. The decision is based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder and bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter, and are not otherwise causally related to his military service.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be the result of in-service noise exposure, meeting the criteria for service connection.