Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and thus cannot be service-connected.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability was rated noncompensable prior to July 17, 2013 and at a 30 percent rating from that date. The Board found the criteria for higher ratings were not met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background. Therefore, the criteria for entitlement to a TDIU are not met.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service and is not etiologically related to service. The claim was denied as there was no current disability at separation, and the evidence does not show a nexus between his in-service noise exposure and his current condition.

The Board has remanded the case for compliance with a previous remand order, issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding entitlement to TDIU, and for obtaining updated VA medical treatment records. The issues on appeal include increased ratings for low back disorder and cervical spine disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and granted service connection for this condition. The decision on bilateral hearing loss disability remains pending as it was addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been evaluated at the maximum schedular rating available, so any higher ratings are not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private hearing test records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The preponderance of the evidence supports a finding against these claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to service, with the Board resolving doubt in his favor.

The Board has found that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in or due to his active duty. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, but has granted service connection for tinnitus as it had its onset in service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service noise exposure. The claims were previously denied due to lack of evidence of a nexus between service and these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining complete results of audiological evaluations and scheduling a VA examination to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise and grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, effective October 2, 2014. The previous noncompensable rating is now increased to reflect the Veteran's reported increase in hearing loss symptoms.

The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer have been rated as a 20 percent disability since December 10, 2008. This rating is based on urinary frequency at night.

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.