Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, but his right ear hearing loss and Hepatitis C have not been established as service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for PTSD, currently rated at 30 percent prior to November 17, 2010 and 100 percent thereafter, is granted. The effective date of the increased rating remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The Veteran's appeal is not yet decided on the merits of his claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be the result of noise exposure during his military service, thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and bilateral hearing loss disability have been reopened, but the new evidence does not establish a nexus to service. The claim for PTSD is inextricably intertwined with the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and back disability. TDIU is also deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues regarding entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss and a left ear disorder has been dismissed due to his request to withdraw the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to additional development being necessary, including consideration of new evidence from VA examinations conducted in March 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not causally or etiologically related to service and did not manifest within one year of his discharge from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of mononucleosis, and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA's criteria for hearing loss.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability was granted, but the effective date is not specified. From December 6, 2013, the Veteran is now rated at 30% for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is as likely as not related to his active service, including noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for additional development due to a request for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding medical records and examinations.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is etiologically related to his in-service acoustic trauma and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable or unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period on appeal prior to February 26, 2010.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for PTSD during the July 2015 hearing. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has been evaluated as noncompensable since June 2009. The VA audiometric examinations conducted in August 2009, May 2012, January 2015, and April 2015 all showed Level I hearing acuity in both ears, corresponding to a noncompensable rating under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of a current disability during service or within one year after separation. The Veteran did not have a chronic hearing loss disability for VA purposes at any time during his military service.