Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection were granted. His diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent, his right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy at 20 percent effective January 21, 2015, and he was granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure of notification for a requested videoconference Board hearing. The case will be returned to the RO for scheduling an appropriate hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus are related to his active service, but he does not have a diagnosed low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn by the Veteran. The Board also dismissed his claim for major depressive disorder as there is no evidence that it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is less likely than not caused by or result of military acoustic trauma, and the evidence does not support a finding that his sensorineural hearing loss manifested to a compensable degree within one year following his military separation. For tinnitus, the Board finds that it is at least as likely as not associated with the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for residuals of a fractured right clavicle was granted, but the claims for service connection for hearing loss disabilities were reopened and denied. The appeal is considered 'mixed' as some issues are granted while others are not.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition began during military service. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a lack of current evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining clarification on the use of speech recognition tests in his private audiograms and a VA audiological examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of a shrapnel injury. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and development due to inconsistencies in his hearing loss claim and the need for updated medical evidence regarding his sciatic nerve neuropathy.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that it is as likely as not to have had its onset in service due to noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to notify him of his scheduled videoconference hearing. He will be given another opportunity for a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to attempt to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records, current VA treatment records, and a VA audiology examination. The case will be returned to the Board for further review after these actions are completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred in or caused by military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and issuing an SOC on the thyroid condition claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA audiological examination and to ensure all relevant records are associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not the result of acoustic trauma during service. The Board finds that his reports of an onset of tinnitus are credible and consistent with the era and circumstances of his Vietnam service, and with his military occupational specialty as a track mechanic.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right ear hearing loss are found to be related to his in-service exposure to loud noise, including from firing rifles. The Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been granted service connection, with no rating assigned.