Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete audiometric test results and for further examination of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

Based on the evidence of record, the Board finds that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is etiologically related to his noise exposure during military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and it may not be presumed to have been. The weight of the evidence does not support a finding of continuous symptoms since active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss manifests no more than Level II hearing impairment in either ear, and the criteria for assignment of a compensable initial evaluation have not been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied the claim. The left ear hearing loss was also not shown to be aggravated by service, leading to a denial of this issue as well.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining terminal treatment records and verifying any herbicide exposure. The appeal is currently in a pending status.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and sleep disturbance claimed as secondary to tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's assertions of in-service noise exposure were credible and consistent with his service record. However, there was no medical evidence linking current hearing loss or sleep disturbance directly to service.

The Board found no evidence of a current right ear hearing loss disability meeting VA criteria and concluded that the Veteran did not have a chronic hearing loss or tinnitus during service, nor has he demonstrated continuity of symptoms since separation. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was incurred during active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, left hand and ring finger disorder, heart murmur, bilateral knee disorder, bronchitis, and low back disorder are all denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection under the applicable laws and regulations.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus do not preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment, thus a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is denied.

The Board denied service connection for shaking of the right hand and left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's residuals of injury to the right third finger were granted with a noncompensable rating, while his right ear hearing loss was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination to obtain an actual medical opinion addressing the functional impact of his bilateral hearing loss on the 'ordinary conditions of daily life'. The claim will be referred to VA's Chief Benefits Director or the Director of VA's Compensation Service for extra-schedular consideration.

The Board found no evidence of a hearing loss disability in service or within one year post-service, and the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military noise exposure. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

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

The Board denied service connection for a perforated tympanic membrane and right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for a fractured left ring finger with arthritis and limited motion of the left ring and little fingers, as well as bilateral hearing loss prior to August 31, 2012, and a rating higher than 10 percent thereafter, were denied. The decision is based on the lack of unfavorable ankylosis for the fractured fingers and the absence of exceptional patterns of hearing impairment.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to service, and grants service connection for this condition.