Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been manifested by no worse than Level I hearing in both ears, warranting a noncompensable rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions, and the evidence does not support a finding that they are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim for additional development, including obtaining a VA opinion regarding whether his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The case is also referred to VA's Director of C&P Service for consideration of entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability and there is no evidence of such during service. The VA examination did not reflect hearing loss as defined by VA regulations, but a March 2014 private audiogram showed bilateral hearing loss. However, this private audiogram was uninterpreted and the Board finds that the VA examinations are more persuasive. There is insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's current hearing loss to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding when he stopped working and the need for further information on his income during the years at issue. The TDIU claim remains pending as it is intertwined with other claims for increased ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and his right ear hearing loss disability is not related to service. The tinnitus was incurred during peacetime service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further review and a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is as least as likely as not related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and relevant post-service treatment records. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss will be reconsidered after this additional development.

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

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, including whether any portion may be related to service and if his left ear hearing loss increased in severity during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is manifested by hearing acuity no worse than Level I in either ear, and the criteria for a compensable rating are not met. The claim of entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence submitted since the March 2006 rating decision. The VA examiner found that his bilateral hearing loss was related to in-service noise exposure, as evidenced by normal hearing at discharge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are caused by in-service noise exposure, warranting service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is etiologically related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence now includes statements from the Veteran and his spouse, a private audiogram report, and an addendum to the April 2010 VA examination. This raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is related to military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss, dizziness (vertigo), lung condition, cold weather injury residuals, and arthritis of hands, knees, feet, ankles, and hips are not related to his active service. Service connection for these conditions is therefore denied.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to have been incurred during his active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

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