Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hearing loss has been denied as VA is precluded, by law, from granting such a request due to the lack of an informal claim showing intent to apply for benefits prior to July 10, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The hearing loss and tinnitus are not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and dermatitis were granted. He is now rated at 0 percent for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and pseudofolliculitis barbae have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a current disability of pseudofolliculitis barbae, which developed during service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant federal records and VA medical records.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss disability and reopening of his claim for residuals of right ring finger injury were denied. The respiratory disorder claim was remanded due to inadequate notice.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were caused by his service, including exposure to loud noise from artillery during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not have onset during active service, was not otherwise etiologically related to active service, and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after the completion of these actions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is manifested by a pure-tone average of 31 decibels in the right ear and 28 decibels in the left ear, both at Level II. The VA Board found that these scores do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for further development, including an addendum VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and persisted, granting service connection for tinnitus. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing its etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disorder, left eye disorder and nose/sinus disorder have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's current diagnosed right ear sensorineural hearing loss is related to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to in-service noise exposure. The decision is based on evidence of continuity of symptomatology from service through present time.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on the audiometric test results provided.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and leukemia were denied. The claim for service connection for leukemia was reopened, but the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular percentage requirements for TDIU and also demonstrate that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions, warranting a grant of TDIU.