Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the TDIU claim can be adjudicated. The July 2012 VA examination was inadequate as it did not address all service-connected conditions, including PTSD and hearing loss. A new social and industrial survey must be conducted to assess the Veteran's employability.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of his noise exposure claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a back injury, to include sciatica and erectile dysfunction (claimed as residual of treatment for pneumonia), as well as psychiatric disability, asbestos-related disease, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or any related in-service events.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues, including the reopening of a claim for left ear hearing loss and rating claims for knees and ears, require additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's lay testimony is credible and resolving any doubt in his favor. The claim of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed by the January 2010 VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The current rating of 50% is maintained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not related to his active service, including exposure to noise during military service. As such, the claims for service connection for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with the effective date set at May 12, 2014. The Veteran was awarded service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from substantially gainful employment, and therefore the criteria for a TDIU have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss worsened during his service in the Air Force Reserves, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new opinion regarding his bilateral foot disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that it was aggravated during active duty from June 2008 to July 2009. The right ear hearing loss is not addressed as the Veteran's claim remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination as his hearing loss has worsened since his last examination.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting a VA examination. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are caused by his service-connected eustachian tube dysfunction.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding new and material evidence. The Veteran's hearing loss is found to be incurred in service, and his tinnitus is also found to be incurred in service.