Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The appellant has withdrawn her appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's account of in-service acoustic trauma and progressive symptomatology since separation is credible. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral tinnitus was denied as there is no legal basis to assign a higher evaluation. The issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss (BLHL) is remanded due to the need for updated medical records and examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss was not aggravated by service, and thus he is entitled to the presumption of soundness at entry. The current bilateral hearing loss is considered an etiological continuation of the pre-existing condition during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of a right ankle sprain, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no current diagnosis or etiological link to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not related to service and does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The issues of increased rating for PTSD, depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder are addressed.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during active service, were not manifested to a compensable degree within the first post-service year, and are not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board finds a VA examination is necessary to address the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and whether basic training aggravated his right ear hearing loss. The appeal is REMANDED.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active duty service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between his tinnitus and military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability or heart disability, including one manifested by or as a result of mitral valve prolapse. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus based on direct service connection due to in-service exposure to acoustic trauma.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory condition, nerve damage of the left arm, and bilateral hearing loss disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not shown to be exceptional or unusual, and therefore a compensable rating on an extra-schedular basis is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues regarding increased ratings for hearing loss and TDIU are no longer before the Board.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability was granted a 40 percent rating effective July 17, 2008. The adjustment disorder with depressed mood was granted a 30 percent rating effective September 19, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's right and left knee disorders are not currently considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his military service. The Veteran's STRs do not show any complaints, symptoms, or diagnosis of hearing loss during service. There is no evidence showing continuous symptoms since service separation and no evidence of a disease in service that would be presumed for a chronic disease under 38 C.F.R. § 3.307(a).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, translating any identified documents, scheduling a VA audiological examination, and readjudicating the claim for increased evaluation of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain VA medical records and provide new opinions regarding the appellant's claims. The case will be remanded for these actions.