Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the evidence did not show that it was incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is related to the Veteran's exposure to loud noise during his military service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to have started during service and has continued since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and a sleep disorder, to include sleep apnea. The claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine remains pending.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to the Veteran's request to participate in VA's RAMP program.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and heart disability were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding treatment records and verification of claimed stressors. The Veteran is also scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his low back disability, BHL, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and erectile dysfunction, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 20 percent effective January 25, 2018. The Board denied a higher rating prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss must be remanded to afford him a contemporaneous VA examination.

The Veteran's right foot tinea pedis is rated as dermatitis under Diagnostic Code 7806, and does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The Veteran had in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss was demonstrated on an August 2017 private examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence submitted since the final May 2012 rating decision. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as the evidence did not support a link to service or any presumptive conditions.

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 service exposure to loud noises during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and CAD have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has ordered a new VA examination and remanded the case due to the lack of probative value in the previous examiner's opinion. The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which may be secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both granted. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, which is related to in-service noise exposure. However, the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. However, it granted service connection for tinnitus as the Veteran's symptoms began in service and have continued.