Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and the claim for cause of death is denied. The burial benefits were also denied as they did not exceed $300.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's current hearing loss disability and its relationship to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 100% and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is denied. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination regarding the Veteran's tuberculosis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his active service and did not manifest within a year of separation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as new and material evidence was not received to reopen his previous claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is due to in-service acoustic trauma and continuous symptoms since service.

The Board denied service connection and all rating claims, including TDIU, for the claimed conditions. The Veteran's diabetes is not related to his military service. His acquired mental disorder, left knee disorder, heart disorder, right knee disorder, right ankle disorder, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and right middle finger disorder are also not related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected.,The Veteran's anxiety disorder is granted as service connected.,Service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and sleep apnea. The claim for increased rating for history of hyperuricemia with recurrent gouty arthritis is also remanded.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 30 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, effective June 1, 2012. The VA failed to demonstrate actual improvement in the Veteran’s ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 50 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the reduction from 50 to 20 percent was improper due to a lack of evidence showing actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran is granted an initial 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss from September 27, 2011 until January 9, 2012. From January 9, 2012, the Veteran's hearing loss is rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was granted. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also granted as service-connected, while sleep apnea, valvular heart disease (claimed as ischemic heart disease), and hypertension were denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is established based on noise exposure during combat in Vietnam. Service connection for valvular heart disease was not established due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred or caused by service, including herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected PTSD, which makes it impossible for him to obtain and maintain substantial gainful employment.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of in-service noise exposure and the absence of a nexus. The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for varicose veins is remanded as there are insufficient findings regarding persistent edema, stasis pigmentation, eczema, ulceration, or subcutaneous induration.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss but has remanded the issue of service connection for a bilateral knee disability due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral foot disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and headaches are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 5, 2014 has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal.