Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent since February 27, 2016. Prior to that date, the disability was not compensable.

The Veteran's diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, but his appeal for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated in service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during service or within one year following service separation. The Veteran did not report any symptoms related to these conditions until many years after service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing impairment did not warrant a 50 percent rating at the time of the reduction, and thus denied restoration of the 50 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a current examination of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, residuals of a left eye injury, and residuals of frostbite to both feet. The decision found that there was no current hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Board has determined that new evidence received since the September 1996 rating decision is sufficient to reopen service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to in-service noise exposure, specifically during periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty for Training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a bilateral eye disorder, to include glaucoma, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding an increased rating for PTSD, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has received a withdrawal request from the appellant, thus dismissing the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his period of active service, specifically due to exposure to hazardous noise levels. As such, the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is denied as the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection. The hearing loss claim remains denied.

The Board has determined that further medical examination is needed to clarify the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims, as the current audiograms are unclear.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an additional VA examination to determine the effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. The examiner must consider the Veteran's complaints of constant pain and occurrences of immobility due to his bilateral leg disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, including exposure to acoustic trauma. Therefore, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are related to in-service noise exposure. The Board has determined that further medical guidance is required to determine the nature and etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus.