Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected. The Board finds insufficient evidence to support a finding of current bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes.,For the entirety of the appeal period, the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD have not been met.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The VA will provide an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left ear hearing loss and entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) have been dismissed as the issues were withdrawn by the Veteran's authorized representative.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to new evidence of constant, chronic pain since service. The initial ratings for non-traumatic compartment syndrome of the right and left lower extremities are also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for various disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and foot disability have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus has been denied as the condition is already at its maximum schedular rating.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus has also been denied, as there was no prior claim within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was also denied, as his symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a 50% disability rating. The Board found that his symptoms were more consistent with a 30% disability rating.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because he failed to demonstrate that his service-connected disabilities alone precluded him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's hearing loss is suspected of worsening, and a new examination is needed to determine its current severity and etiology. For sleep apnea, a new examination is required to address whether it is related to service-connected conditions or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's attempt to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was unsuccessful, and thus an effective date prior to December 2, 2016 is not warranted.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with the evidence being in equipoise. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, finding that the conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to have started during service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right ankle disability is dismissed. The Veteran was granted TDIU benefits due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing loss did not manifest during or within one year of separation from service and was not caused by in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support these determinations.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence showing the condition was incurred or aggravated during active duty.