Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board finds that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his exposure to noise during service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and dismissed the appeal regarding status post radical left mastoidectomy. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability warrants a noncompensable rating prior to February 2, 2015, and a 10 percent rating thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, SSA records, and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current lung disability. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable (zero percent) since December 23, 2008. The evidence does not show that the Veteran's hearing acuity warrants a compensable rating at any time during the appeal period.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations and issuance of a statement of the case on certain claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is etiologically related to in-service acoustic trauma and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a relationship to service or manifestation within one year of separation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 40 percent, effective May 28, 2013. The appeal for increased ratings on other service-connected conditions remains denied.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to have onset during active service, and the Board grants service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting the grant of TDIU.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for back and left knee disabilities, but the case is being remanded to obtain updated treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be the result of in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining post-service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty sensorineural hearing loss was not exhibited within the first post-service year. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied.