Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no evidence that his current hearing loss disability had its onset in service or is related to any noise exposure during military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA audiological evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 50 percent rating, effective September 20, 2010. The Veteran's current symptomatology is attributed to his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and possibly a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a back disability, finding that the Veteran did not have current disabilities meeting VA compensation criteria. For the back condition specifically, the Board determined there was no medical evidence linking it to active military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not shown to warrant a compensable rating, and his service-connected disability does not meet the minimum percentage requirements for an award of a schedular TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current eye disabilities are not related to his active service and therefore denied service connection for bilateral eye disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss disability, as well as whether it is related to military service. The examiner must convert in-service audiometric readings from ASA to ISO units.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disorder and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for right knee disorder is granted as new and material evidence was submitted, while the claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied due to lack of in-service noise exposure and no causal relationship established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine disorder are not service-connected as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and thus, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction due to incomplete adjudication and need for additional evidence. The issues on appeal include increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and arranging for a VA medical examination.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 15, 2005, for the award of service connection for a depressive disorder and alcohol abuse is dismissed. The Board has also granted entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that it is due to acoustic trauma incurred during service. The appeal for left ear hearing loss was withdrawn prior to a decision.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing a nexus to service. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not considered service-connected.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and a right knee disorder. The claims will now be considered on their merits.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and cataracts, but denied the claim for benign prostatic hypertrophy. The Veteran's current disorders are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 50 percent since March 2014, effective November 19, 2013.