Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA and that it is related to his military service. For the low back disorder, the Veteran's claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset in service or relation to military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating prior to September 13, 2015 and 40 percent thereafter for left ear hearing loss was denied as his hearing loss did not meet the criteria for any higher ratings under VA's schedular guidelines.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining audiograms and scheduling a VA audiological examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The matter regarding a 10 percent rating based on multiple, noncompensable, service-connected disabilities under 38 C.F.R. � 3.324 is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but assigned a noncompensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, back disability, and neck disability are granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, were denied as they are not related to his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and glaucoma prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right ear sensorineural hearing loss is as likely as not related to his active service, and the claim for this condition is granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety NOS and depression is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has found new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. After considering all available evidence, including VA and private medical opinions, the Board concludes that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is more likely related to his active service than to other factors.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and conduct further development of the Veteran's hearing loss claim.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including noise exposure during active duty. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to substantiate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining STRs and corroborating his account of events during active duty.

The Veteran has current bilateral hearing loss disability that is the result of hazardous noise exposure from gunfire and artillery training as a cannon crewmember in the Army from 1972 to 1974. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of current hearing loss or eye condition disabilities, and there is no direct service connection established.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to have increased in severity during service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The claims for bilateral foot disabilities and circulatory disorders of the lower extremities are pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for chronic bronchitis has not yet been decided.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent since March 14, 2013. The appeal is granted for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of hearing loss or symptoms thereof during service. The claim for service connection for these conditions is therefore denied.