Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the Veteran's claims. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for his claimed conditions as they are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including considering his exposure during service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is found to be aggravated by service, warranting service connection.,For the period from November 4, 2009, through February 23, 2014, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, effective May 20, 2015. The Veteran's service connection claims for a scar on the chin and a left arm disability remain pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of a current disability during service or within one year after separation. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his period of service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's current tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are at least as likely as not related to his military service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetic retinopathy were denied. The claim for a higher rating for diabetic retinopathy was also denied.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for a compensable disability rating for hearing loss and for TDIU prior to January 8, 2013. As no justiciable issues remain before the Board, both claims are dismissed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and determining if he was exposed to Agent Orange during service. The case is therefore being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his ear condition, whether it is related to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound, as he is able to perform most daily activities with assistance when needed.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 2, 2015 is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision. The Board has determined that the criteria for a disability evaluation in excess of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss after June 2, 2015 have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is a result of service exposure to noise, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including TBI and audiological examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an addendum VA examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss, which he asserts was caused by in-service acoustic trauma. The examiner must consider the Veteran's assertions and medical literature regarding age-related hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration. The appellant, as a substituted claimant, will be given an opportunity to clarify her desire to attend a Board video-conference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his current auditory acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to acoustic trauma incurred during his military service, and grants service connection for this condition.