Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, bipolar disorder, is related to service and granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, hypertension, left leg disability, sleep apnea, and headaches are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus on a substitution basis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing a current disability, as well as failure to cooperate with VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the etiology of his cardiovascular condition and back condition. The hearing loss claim will also be remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for colon cancer, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as there was no current evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and reopening of claims have been withdrawn. The Board has no jurisdiction over these issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence to support these claims. The Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, diverticulitis, asthma, COPD, diabetes mellitus, PTSD, stroke, bowel cancer, bilateral hearing loss, headaches, hernia, sleep apnea, and nerve damage. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has not been manifested by hearing acuity worse than Level IV in the right ear and worse than Level IX in the left ear, which corresponds to a 30% disability rating. The current rating is appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the significant discrepancy between previous VA audiological testing results and the Veteran's contention of continued worsening. Another VA examination with audiometric testing is required.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated treatment records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the initial rating assigned for cholecystectomy residuals and the denials of service connection for allergic rhinitis, residuals of fractured ribs, residuals of right eye trauma, bilateral hearing loss, and a skin disability.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder is not service-connected.,Prior to March 14, 2014, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable. From March 14, 2014 onwards, it has been rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying the appellant's period of active service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a right side disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The left knee disability claim is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disorder, left and right knee disorders, bilateral foot disorder, eye disorder (claimed as bilateral nerve damage of the eyes), and erectile dysfunction, have been denied. The Board found that these conditions are not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, sinus disability, and right ear hearing loss disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, or depression for VA purposes. As such, service connection cannot be granted for these conditions.