Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his active duty service. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as the evidence supports a finding that his current hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, and his bilateral hearing loss may also be service-connected based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to active duty, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed in detail.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a positive tuberculosis test or low back disability. The claim for left ear hearing loss disability is not established as there is no competent and probative evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is found to have had its onset during service and has persisted since then, granting service connection for the condition.

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and he is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities. A TDIU is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development as it pertains to service connection claims for headaches, a right knee injury, hearing loss disability, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the claims for bilateral hearing loss, heart disability, and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his hearing loss, tinnitus, and left foot disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current hearing loss is at least as likely not etiologically related to in-service combat noise exposure and more likely due to occupational noise exposure over 35 years after service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was granted service connection as it is related to his active military service.,Right ear hearing loss was also granted service connection, with the presumption that noise exposure during service aggravated a pre-existing condition.

The Board has determined that there is no current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not related to her period of service, including in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for heart disease, residuals of gallstone surgery, hypertension, kidney condition, left knee disability, and prostate condition. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be incurred or aggravated in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal as to service connection for bilateral flat feet and cervical spine spondylosis is withdrawn. The claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were denied because there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating throughout the appeal period. The claim for service connection for headaches, to include as secondary to tinnitus, is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be due to acoustic trauma incurred during his active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes, as his audiometric results do not meet the criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.385.