Hearing loss decisions — 2018

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

The Veteran was granted service connection for a depressive disorder, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sarcoidosis and/or lung disorders, and essential tremors (claimed as Parkinson's Disease).

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the evidence now supports a finding of service connection for some disabilities due to jet fuel exposure.

The Board has restored a 10 percent rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss effective April 1, 2017. The Veteran's hearing loss was reevaluated and found to be at level II in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there may be outstanding VA treatment records that need to be obtained, including those from pages 24-294 of the uploaded records. Additionally, new military audiograms from 1970 and 1972 have been added to the file.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened, and he needs a new VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The increase in hearing loss is attributed to aggravation during service, while the onset of tinnitus is conceded.

The Board dismissed all issues in the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeals prior to the decision being made.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the claims for service connection for colon cancer and rectal polyps as secondary to Camp Lejeune exposure and for bilateral foot fungus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection for colon cancer is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or due to any in-service exposure.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied as it did not begin during service and there is no evidence linking it to service, including Agent Orange exposure.,The Veteran's skin disease is presumed to be caused by his service in Vietnam, but the evidence does not support a finding that it began during service or was otherwise caused by such service.,Service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service, including Agent Orange exposure. The condition did not manifest within one year of presumed exposure.,The Veteran's back disability is not linked to his service and the evidence does not support a finding that it began during service or was otherwise caused by such service.,Service connection for a mental disorder is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression did not render him unemployable prior to July 21, 2015. From October 20, 2015, his service-connected tinnitus and right ear hearing loss also did not render him unemployable.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety disorder), a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorders, COPD and chronic bronchitis, migraine headaches, right elbow disorder, right shoulder disorder, right ear hearing loss, intermittent vertigo, intermittent hand tremors, and intermittent blackouts. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed stressors or a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in a need for regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations of his bilateral hearing loss claim has been dismissed as he has withdrawn all remaining issues on the recent Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

Right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,Diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied as not related to service or exposure to burn pits.,Non-small cell carcinoma of the lung is denied as not related to service or exposure to burn pits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a hearing loss disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service acoustic trauma and noting that any current hearing loss is not related to service.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's left ear hearing loss, but denied service connection for his right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not severe enough to require regular aid and attendance, thus his claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of onset within one year after separation from service, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease (IHD) is found to have caused his peripheral artery disease (PAD) and stroke. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest available level of 70 percent, which is already the maximum rating for this condition. His bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.