Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran is now service-connected for additional disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, cataracts, and hypertension. These conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 8, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as they are not related to his in-service noise exposure. The VA contract examiner concluded that the right ear hearing loss is unrelated to service, while the left ear hearing loss had its onset multiple years after service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active military service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have hearing loss during service or within one year after separation from service, and thus could not establish service connection on a presumptive basis.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation. The issue of service connection for a pulmonary condition (claimed as emphysema) is addressed in the REMAND portion and is REMANDED.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim of right shoulder disability, but left knee arthritis is service connected. The Veteran's right knee disabilities are rated based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, so the case is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a hearing loss disability. The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol and marijuana abuse was rated in excess of 70 percent prior to March 1, 2013 and in excess of 50 percent beginning on March 1, 2013. The TDIU issue is also denied.

The Board has dismissed all issues on appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss, as his hearing impairment was only Level I in each ear.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after his military service, and there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The cervical spine disorder was also not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus have not been found to warrant a compensable rating, but service connection for both conditions has been granted. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, and/or anxiety, cannot be established as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis. The Board acknowledges that he served in combat but lacks supporting documentation.,The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone have not rendered him unemployable, and the preponderance of evidence does not support a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability has been rated at 100% since August 22, 2016. The Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU effective from March 3, 2011, based on his unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with noise exposure being a significant factor.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The Board found that the current disability is not related to his military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sarcoidosis is at least as likely as not related to his active duty military service, and thus grants service connection for sarcoidosis. The issue of left ear hearing loss is addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 50 percent effective January 9, 2017. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted prior to this date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since March 6, 2013.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not linked to his service, specifically noting that there was no significant threshold shift during service and that the Veteran did not experience hearing loss until several years after separation from service.