Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was found to be noncompensable throughout the initial rating period, as it did not meet the criteria for a higher initial (compensable) rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions are presumed to have been incurred in service due to noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss, foot disability, leg disability, sarcoidosis, migraine headaches, gynecological disability requiring hysterectomy, or back disability. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is also denied as there is no evidence of a psychosis within one year of separation from service and no continuity of symptomatology since then.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely due to noise exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The claim for service connection for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for DEA benefits was denied because his service-connected disabilities did not meet the requirement of permanent and total disability. The RO proposed to reduce his 100 percent rating for depressive disorder, but a TDIU rating has been granted. The case is being remanded to determine if the current severity of his service-connected disabilities are reasonably certain to continue throughout his life.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hypertension and bilateral hearing loss, as well as to schedule an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the November 2009 grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD resolved all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for hemorrhoids, denied all other claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been manifested by Level I impairment in the right and left ear throughout the appeal period, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing left ear hearing loss was aggravated by his active duty service, and right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are considered to be incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability has been withdrawn. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review this issue and it is therefore dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service manifestations or noise exposure. The current disabilities were not caused by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Veteran reported symptoms after a head injury during service but his service records do not reflect any complaints or treatment for hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been found to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and he is granted a TDIU effective September 5, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss were denied. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including an addendum opinion regarding whether his hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected fibromyalgia, migraines, and other conditions have prevented her from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU.