Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss is being remanded due to scheduling issues with a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of TBI, scarring of the head, left ear hearing loss, PTSD, right knee disability, migraine headaches, and skin disability. The Veteran did not have a scar on his head at any time during the appeal period. His migraines were rated as 10 percent disabling based on characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not causally or etiologically related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is a direct result of in-service acoustic trauma and finds that service connection should be granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss did not manifest during service and was more likely due to age-related changes. The claim for a back disability is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least as likely as not related to active duty service.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating effective from October 13, 2005 on an extraschedular basis due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinion and failure to provide a statement of reasons and bases for rejecting a November 2011 private audiology opinion. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded for further examination and an adequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to February 10, 2016, and for a rating in excess of 40 percent on and after that date was denied. The Board found the evidence did not support an increased rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not considered to have had its onset during service or within one year of separation, and the Board finds that it is less likely than not related to his military noise exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss did not manifest in service or to a compensable degree within one year after service separation, and is not shown by the weight of the competent and probative evidence of record to be otherwise related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is service-connected as it was incurred during his active duty service. The eye disorder claim, including diabetic retinopathy and macular mottling of the left eye, is not granted as there is no evidence to support a nexus with service or secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's multiple sclerosis had its onset within the initial 7-year period following active military service and is granted service connection. The issue of hearing loss disability remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request in June 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and incomplete evidence, requiring further development before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 20 percent effective as of November 18, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service and granted service connection for this condition. The decision on bilateral hearing loss disability remains pending as it was not addressed in the appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and mild traumatic brain injury with memory impairment are all found to be related to his military service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.