Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted, with the Board finding that it was incurred in active service. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to additional development needed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen service connection for degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine with spondylolisthesis and hearing loss. The issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The reopened claim is addressed in the REMAND section.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current nature and severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as his last VA examination was in February 2014.

The Board has determined that the evidence currently of record is sufficient to substantiate the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's current tinnitus originated during service and was granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA audiologist opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection and a compensable rating for various conditions are pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, while his TDIU is granted due to his service-connected residuals of prostate cancer status post radical perianal prostatectomy.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his service and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss disabilities are related to his active service, warranting a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of left ear hearing loss was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to in-service acoustic trauma, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is incurred in service due to noise exposure, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was reduced to a noncompensable rating effective April 16, 2013. The Veteran's peripheral vestibular disorder has been rated at 10 percent since May 21, 2012.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss that meets VA's definition. The January 2011 VA examination found the Veteran to have mild sensorineural hearing loss bilaterally, but this is considered within normal limits based on his entrance and separation audiometric tests.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a supplemental medical opinion from the examiner who conducted his March 2012 VA audiometric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and amputation of the right foot were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.