Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran was exposed to loud noise during service and experienced 'continuous' symptoms of hearing loss since separation. The claim is resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, as evidenced by noise exposure during service. The preponderance of evidence supports a finding that these conditions began in service and have persisted since.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating, and thus denied an increased rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin disorder (due to exposure to Agent Orange), acute myositis of the quadriceps, peripheral neuropathy, heart disorder, hemorrhage of blood vessels in the brain, cerebral vascular accident/TIA, and bilateral eye disorder have been denied. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for numbness of the feet, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran was found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities prior to June 1, 2015. However, for the period from June 1, 2015, his combined disability rating did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU and the case is referred to VA's Compensation Service for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease have been dismissed. The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as osteoarthritis of the bilateral hips.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing addendum opinions regarding his hearing loss, sinus condition, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current level of disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for an upper and lower back condition was also denied, with no evidence showing such conditions during service or at present. The eye condition claim was granted on a secondary basis to diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his recurrent tinnitus as well as current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a lung disability resulting from asbestos exposure, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been reopened. The claim for a lung disability is granted as new and material evidence has been submitted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was incurred in service, but denied his claims for left ear hearing loss and left foot disabilities as there is no evidence of a current disability. The claim for tinnitus is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and right eye disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss did not increase during service, and his right eye condition is unrelated to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations to address the etiology of various conditions. The Veteran's claims are currently pending.

The Veteran does not have a current bilateral ear disorder, claimed as bilateral ear infections.,There is no evidence of a right knee injury or disease incurred in service. The current right knee strain is considered to be unrelated to service.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss in February 2012, and the Court found this decision was not supported by adequate reasons or bases. The case is remanded to address the claim.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise and grants service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-service hospitalization records and private treatment records. The Veteran's service connection claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for service-connected hypertension and entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to unclear development and lack of evidence on these issues.

The Veteran's initial claim of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to May 3, 2013, and a rating in excess of 10 percent after that date was denied. The appeal is based on the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.