Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The VA Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting right ear hearing loss did not increase in severity during service, and thus cannot be considered aggravated by service. As a result, the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disorder are not related to his military service. The psychiatric disorder is also denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the condition and service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and an audiological evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss resulted in a noncompensable rating prior to November 4, 2015. From November 4, 2015, the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss results in a 20 percent disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and that any potential hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability has not met the criteria for a compensable rating since July 8, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear at his scheduled hearing and because of a need to determine his current address.

The Veteran's benefits were reduced due to his incarceration, and the Board finds that an apportionment is warranted for the period of his incarceration from October [redacted], 1999 to April [redacted], 2012.

The Board found no causal relationship between the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current bilateral hearing loss, thus denying service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not incurred during his military service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as secondary to his service-connected traumatic brain injury. The respiratory disorder claim has been reopened and remains pending.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a link between the Veteran's current condition and his in-service noise exposure.,Service connection was also established for COPD. The Veteran is currently receiving non-compensable disability ratings for both conditions.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. However, his claims for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,There is no diagnosis of diabetes or hypertension found in the medical records.

The Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing before the Board has not been scheduled, and he is being remanded to do so.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to insufficient opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current hearing loss disability and noise exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss are related to his military service, but there is no current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's hearing acuity was found to be at levels that do not warrant a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining inpatient hospitalization records and VA treatment records. The Veteran will be provided with an examination by an otolaryngologist to determine the etiology of his hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability has been granted, with the assigned rating of 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to military noise exposure. The decision also grants service connection for tinnitus as secondary to service-connected right ear hearing loss.