Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board finds that there is no current disability for VA purposes due to bilateral hearing loss, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, including noise exposure. The evidence showed no significant hearing impairment during service and post-service noise exposure was a contributing factor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not attributable to service, including exposure to noise during his military service. Therefore, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and his bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for a low back strain due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated at a 10% rating since October 14, 2009. The evidence does not show that the disability warranted an increased evaluation during any period of time under consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is a direct result of service, with symptoms beginning during service and continuing since then.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for updated VA audiological examination and additional Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeal will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no legal basis to award higher schedular evaluations. The Veteran's appeal must be denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service exposure to loud noise, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including pleural calcifications (60%), bilateral hearing loss (10%), and tinnitus (10%), do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his in-service acoustic trauma, and grants service connection for this disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, while diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred or aggravated in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is service-connected, but his asbestosis claim is denied due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss requires additional development, including obtaining complete service treatment records and a VA examination.