Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional medical examination and opinion to determine if his current bilateral hearing loss disorder is related to service, including exposure to acoustic trauma during active duty as a submarine nuclear reactor operator. The case will be readjudicated after the completion of these actions.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for left ear hearing loss is dismissed as the benefit sought on appeal (right ear hearing loss) has already been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. His TDIU rating is granted.

The Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes, and the Board finds that he did not incur such a disability during service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore denied his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he is satisfied with the current evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of prostate cancer, finding that there was no current disability or evidence linking these conditions to service. The claim for panic disorder as part of PTSD was granted.,Service connection for panic disorder is established as part of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected, with no specific rating assigned.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for hearing loss of the right ear and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for hearing loss, and there was no indication that the Veteran's service-connected conditions prevented him from obtaining or maintaining employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inextricability of his claims for service connection for Meniere's syndrome and left ear hearing loss. He will be afforded a VA examination to determine the etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Board video conference hearing in connection with his claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is currently at 80 percent, which meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities combine to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is pending.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shin splints, left ankle disability, and hearing loss were denied. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities, tinnitus, migraine headaches, and psychiatric disability are on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's exposure to hazardous noise in service and his current hearing thresholds meet the criteria for a hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination, as well as obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and service connection for a stomach disorder (including GERD) are being remanded due to the need to obtain VA treatment records and provide the Veteran with required notice regarding his allegations of military sexual trauma.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss, flash burn of right eye, left eye injury, fracture of the right hand, and bilateral ankle injuries.