Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected depression is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board denied an increased rating for depression as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to determine if the veteran's hearing loss is related to his military service, specifically ACDUTRA exposure.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss needs to be re-evaluated due to the long time since his last VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been provided sufficient to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for tinnitus is remanded.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active duty service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, and a higher rating for his respiratory disability. The Board found that there was no evidence showing the Veteran’s erectile dysfunction is at least as likely as not due to his time in service, specifically his bouts of gonorrhea. For his respiratory disability, the Board found that FEV-1 levels were between 71 and 80 percent, which warrants a 10% rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of a lower back condition. The case is remanded for further development regarding other issues including increased rating for migraine headaches and left ear hearing loss.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, and remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the VA examination regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is inadequate, as it did not consider sufficient evidence to demonstrate a relationship between his service and current disabilities. The case is being remanded for an appropriate audiological examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to procedural defects and the need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grants of service connection and assignment of initial disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss (20%) and tinnitus (10%). The earliest possible effective dates are September 23, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disorder due to lack of current disability. The claims for right knee disability, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient examination reports and opinions, as well as incomplete information regarding in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted, and the Board found that new evidence related to a previously unestablished element of the claim (bilateral hearing loss) has been submitted. The appeal is remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability meeting VA's definition of hearing loss, and the Veteran did not have a hearing loss disability at separation from service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and bilateral knee disorders, rendered him unable to work in any active or sedentary position he might have been able to obtain with his background. The Board has granted an effective date of January 19, 2011 for the TDIU.