Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, specifically due to a lack of in-service noise exposure and no significant threshold shifts on enlistment and separation audiograms. The most persuasive evidence indicates that his hearing loss is more likely attributable to occupational noise exposure post-service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied due to his service-connected disabilities not precluding him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is causally related to service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current disability, and the Board found that his symptoms could be explained by other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient examination report and need for additional opinion regarding etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service exposure, while obstructive sleep apnea is also found to be related to service. The claim for a higher initial rating for Parkinson's disease remains on appeal.

The Veteran's initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD were denied, with the Board finding that his service-connected disabilities did not warrant higher evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss had been manifested by no worse than level III hearing acuity in the right ear and level III hearing acuity in the left ear. An acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression and anxiety, was not shown in service or within the first post-service year, and has not been shown by competent evidence to be related to a disease or injury of service origin.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is not related to his military service, as there was no in-service noise injury specifically affecting his left ear.

The Veteran's left leg radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent since October 22, 2009 and denied for an increased rating. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at a noncompensable level prior to April 21, 2014 and at a 10 percent level thereafter. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increase in rating beyond these levels.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to determine the relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service, including noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability and therefore, service connection for hearing loss is denied. The issue of diabetes mellitus, type II remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including the issuance of an SOC on his TDIU claim and scheduling a Travel Board or videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a more contemporaneous VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss results in only level I hearing impairment, which corresponds to a noncompensable disability rating. The claim for an initial compensable rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's assertions regarding the onset of his tinnitus and symptoms since service are credible. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate VA examination.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for obtaining updated VA treatment records from the Tampa VAMC. The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, gum disease, and skin disorder will be re-adjudicated after these records are obtained.