Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to withdrawal of the claims by the Veteran during his November 2018 Board hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, coronary artery disease, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As a result, TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the current conditions did not begin in service or manifest within one year of service separation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of in-service injury or disease related to his current conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as he requested the withdrawal of his appeal in a November 2015 statement.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and hepatitis C are all being reviewed to determine if they are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen any of these claims. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and anxiety disorder have been granted initial evaluations, but his tinnitus remains at a 10% evaluation. Effective dates for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board denied service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding of current diagnoses or in-service incurrence/aggravation.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected, but his right ear hearing loss and TBI are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding it at least as likely as not associated with the Veteran's hearing loss in his right ear. The claims for right knee disability and hearing loss in left ear remain denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, which are currently considered service-connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and depression due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and higher ratings was dismissed due to withdrawal. The RO granted a 20% rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, PTSD prior to May 21, 2012, and TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable since August 19, 2015. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on the current level of hearing impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and anxiety disorder), finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the evidence does not show a current disability of hearing loss as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of asthma, sinusitis, or allergic rhinitis related to service exposure. Service connection was granted for valvular heart disease with a staged rating from January 16, 2017. Increased ratings were denied for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, hypertension, and back disability.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as the current examinations do not reflect the effects of his service-connected conditions, particularly those related to lung cancer and shrapnel wounds. The VA must obtain updated medical opinions regarding these issues.