Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and Meniere’s Syndrome (dizziness), but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and a psychiatric condition. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and medical records showing current symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence did not show a nexus between current disabilities and in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensably disabling. The Board found that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on his audiometric test results.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD was granted and a 100% rating was assigned effective April 13, 2015.,Service connection for tension headaches is granted as they are related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is directly related to in-service acoustic trauma and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a disability for VA purposes and was denied service connection.,There is no evidence of a current gastrointestinal disorder that can be linked to service, and the claim was denied.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension has been denied.,The Veteran's hernia diagnoses are remanded due to the possibility of secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, and tinnitus for further evaluation due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, renders him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is remanded. Service connection claims for left knee disability, back disability, and sleep apnea are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed respiratory disorder, which may be related to service exposure. The issues of service connection for interstitial fibrosis and entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are also being addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss, finding that it is not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is likely related to noise exposure during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a left knee condition, right knee condition, and bilateral hearing loss due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 0% and tinnitus at 10%. The effective dates for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and PTSD remain August 8, 2014.,PTSD with major depressive disorder has been rated as 50% prior to April 4, 2017, and 70% since that date. Service connection remains remanded for further evaluation.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the July 2004 VA medical opinion. The case is returned to a VA audiologist for an addendum opinion addressing the credibility of the Veteran's testimony regarding post-service occupational noise exposure with hearing protection.