Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, colon cancer, an eye disability (presumably a pre-existing condition), hemorrhoids, non-allergic rhinitis, and knee disabilities. The Board also found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for right leg varicose veins, chronic venous embolism, or deep vein thrombosis. Service connection has been granted for non-allergic rhinitis due to a service-connected deviated septum.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 20, 2012, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter was denied. The Board found that there is no audiological evidence of record to support a compensable evaluation prior to November 20, 2012, or in excess of 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his test results did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military noise exposure. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to outstanding records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The effective dates for the grants of service connection were not established as requested.,The Veteran was also denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability claimed as a result of July 9, 1979 VA medical treatment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, resulting in a denial.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his military service. The evidence shows no in-service hearing problems and no post-service medical records documenting onset within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 2, 2015, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a traumatic brain injury are service-connected, with all three elements (current disability, in-service event/injury, and link between the two) being met.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and post-concussive headaches were denied. The claim for PTSD was not addressed as it resulted in a rating increase prior to the decision.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no current disability meeting VA compensation criteria.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the appellant's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to noise exposure during his period of active duty. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss claim is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition and for obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss was denied. The issue of service connection for right ear hearing loss is pending and will be addressed in the remand portion.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is presumed to have existed prior to service and was not aggravated by military service. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability has been manifested by no more than an average puretone threshold, at the frequencies of 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hertz (Hz), of 83.75 decibels (dB) for the left ear and speech recognition scores of no lower than 64 percent in the left ear. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for his service-connected left ear hearing loss is denied.