Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal for service connection for a left varicocele. The Board found that he had bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus incurred in service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings involving bilateral hearing loss and his right and left knee disabilities prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with the Board finding that both conditions were likely caused by noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acid reflux, diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a cervical spine disability prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus is the result of noise exposure during active military service and has been granted service connection. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are as likely as not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable evaluation is not warranted for his bilateral hearing loss at any time during the period under review.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be the result of in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his in-service acoustic trauma and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable since September 7, 2012. The VA examiners found that the Veteran's current hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as 10 percent disabling, with the right ear rated at Level II and the left ear rated at Level XI. The Veteran's testimony during his April 2015 hearing suggested that his hearing had worsened.

The Veteran has withdrawn his claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the issues of whether his annual income was properly calculated for a specific period and entitlement to an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, both of which are considered direct service connections as there is no evidence of a presumptive basis or secondary to an already service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain additional records from the Veteran and ensure that all necessary development is completed.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a retrospective medical opinion regarding his ability to work due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 18, 2015. The case will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be causally related to military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.