Hearing loss decisions — 2016

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, most notably PTSD, prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lung condition and renal cell carcinoma. The claims are currently pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent since December 22, 2004. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating during any period of appeal.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private vocational rehabilitation records, arranging for a VA examination to determine the etiology of obesity, and scheduling a VA Social Industrial Survey to assess the impact of service-connected disabilities on employability.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted, and he is currently rated at 10 percent for his bilateral hearing loss. The Board denied the Veteran's TDIU claim as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and service treatment records from Portsmouth Naval Hospital and Jacksonville Naval Medical Center. The examiner will also provide opinions regarding the relationship between current disabilities and in-service injuries or exposures.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his hearing loss claim, including securing private records and arranging for a VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for current VA examinations and additional medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus did not have onset in active service, nor is either due to injury or disease incurred in active service. Therefore, the appeal for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining audiogram records and arranging for a VA audiological examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for a right ear disability manifested by aural fullness, dizziness, loss of balance, and high frequency hearing loss. The claim for service connection for a right ear disability manifested by atrophy and tympanic membrane perforation was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to medical questions regarding the etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's noise-induced hearing loss is service-connected, but not his sudden hearing loss in the right ear.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred during active military service and is not presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left and right ear hearing loss did not meet the criteria for service connection due to a lack of evidence showing in-service noise exposure or worsening beyond natural progression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hearing loss with otosclerosis, which was diagnosed in service, is due to a disease or injury incurred during active duty. The appeal for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's skin disorder is not service connected as there is no current disability for VA compensation purposes.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and obesity cannot be granted as these conditions are not considered disabilities for VA purposes.