Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not originate during active service and is therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as he does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left ear hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating based on the current level of impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow him a Board videoconference hearing for both his Meniere's disease and bilateral hearing loss claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues except the claim of PTSD with depression, which was resolved in his favor. The remaining claims are dismissed as they no longer have jurisdiction.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a psychiatric disorder. The claims will be adjudicated again after all necessary development has been completed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain private treatment records and conduct further examinations to determine if he has bilateral hearing loss or a separate disorder manifested by ear pain related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations, and therefore denied service connection.

The Board has decided the Veteran's claim is not ready for decision and requires further development before a final determination can be made.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA medical records, as well as scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any chronic laryngitis/laryngopharyngeal reflux. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA examinations and additional development of her claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a whiplash injury to the neck and shoulders requires an examination. Her hearing loss claim also needs a new VA examination, as does her TDIU claim due to her lumbar spine disability.,A VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The Veteran testified that her symptoms have worsened since the last evaluation in 2009.,The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a whiplash injury and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded, as well as her TDIU claim due to her lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and left knee injury with degenerative joint disease and a torn ligament, meet the percentage requirements for TDIU prior to July 18, 2012. The Board grants TDIU based on these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as his currently diagnosed hearing loss is at least in equipoise with the possibility that it is related to service, including noise exposure during active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have a direct link to his service, as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or continuous symptomatology since service. The VA examiners determined that the Veteran's hearing loss is more likely due to presbycusis (age-related hearing loss) rather than noise-induced hearing loss, and denied service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between her current disabilities and her military service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss has been evaluated as level IX in the right ear and level I in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for his right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of the appeal regarding hearing loss, and the Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye disability, bilateral foot fungus, and right ear hearing loss were denied as the evidence does not support a current disability due to active service.,There is no credible evidence linking any of these conditions to service.