Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for the hearing loss claim, and thus no decision is needed as the issue has been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus based on the Veteran's in-service acoustic trauma and continuous symptoms since separation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's acoustic trauma during military service is at least in equipoise with his current tinnitus. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and requires further development.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound has been denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is etiologically related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for right knee disability. Bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to military noise exposure, while the right knee disability is not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, specifically his in-service noise exposure. The most probative medical evidence does not support a finding of a link between his service and his current condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need to obtain his Army Reserve service records. The case will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to April 28, 2016 and higher than 10 percent from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss in her right ear for VA purposes and finds no link between any sinus disability she currently has and service. Therefore, both claims are denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been fully granted by the RO, and there is no remaining justiciable issue.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable before February 29, 2016 and increased to a 10 percent rating effective that date. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's headache disorder is found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected tinnitus. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus secondary to the Veteran's service-connected TBI residuals. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently under development.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not the result of noise exposure during his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was dismissed as he indicated satisfaction with the current noncompensable (zero percent) rating.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of all issues on appeal, including service connection for heart disability, hearing loss, anxiety, depression, special monthly pension based on being housebound, and nonservice-connected pension.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a bilateral foot fungal condition has been withdrawn.