Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence linking his current hearing loss to in-service noise exposure and concluding that the condition did not manifest during or within a presumptive period after service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was reopened, but the claim remains denied. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss claim was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for left shoulder scars was also denied due to lack of painful or unstable scars.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as Level I in both ears, resulting in no compensable rating. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are not currently in a position to be decided due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD evaluation, bilateral hearing loss service connection, and upper/lower extremity radiculopathy service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss was not caused or aggravated by his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issues of service connection for left ear hearing loss, bilateral restless leg syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome (secondary to service connected left elbow epicondylitis), and right carpal tunnel syndrome.,Service connection was denied for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and knee disabilities are rated as appropriate, but his respiratory disability (sinusitis) is not currently service-connected.

The Veteran's hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination, and a new evaluation is needed to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a left wrist condition, right hip condition, bilateral hearing loss, and low sex drive have all been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or functional impairment.,There are no diagnosed conditions related to the claimed issues.

The Board denied service connection for unspecified open angle glaucoma and hearing loss, finding no evidence of a link to service.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected tension headaches, effective prior to December 20, 2017. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, bilateral hearing loss, IBS, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and PTSD) have all been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including irritable bowel syndrome, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from December 6, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spondylosis are remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The claim for service connection for an eye disorder remains denied as new evidence does not relate a current condition to service.

The Board has denied a compensable disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for hypertension, duodenal ulcer, and thyroid condition have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Bilateral hearing loss is not considered to have been aggravated by service, while tinnitus had its onset during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss, specifically whether it is related to service or worsened during service.