Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to service, and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of an increased rating for residuals of multiple warts on the fingers and cuticles of both hands was also addressed but remains pending.

The Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and the Board finds that service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, peptic ulcer disease, radiculopathy of the left upper and lower extremities, degenerative arthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability. The criteria for service connection have been met, and the claim is granted.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.,Specifically, the evidence did not show a current disability during service, and there is no credible evidence attributing these conditions to service.

The Veteran's hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to service, and the Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether his hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure. Therefore, service connection for hearing loss is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran is found to have a current disability of right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, which are related to his in-service noise exposure. As such, the claims are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to acoustic trauma during active duty and reserve service. As a result, the appeal for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to attend a scheduled hearing. His claims for service connection and increased evaluation are still pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be incurred in service, as it is related to his reported noise exposure during service. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence. The issue remains about entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for otitis media with scarring.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's countable income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) for reinstatement of death pension benefits as of March 1, 2015. Therefore, her claim to reinstate terminated death pension benefits is denied.

The Veteran's diagnosed bilateral hearing loss for VA compensation purposes had its onset during service in Vietnam, and the Board has determined that his current hearing loss is related to noise exposure during military service.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied. The Board found that the current disability ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions, as they are both rated under the direct service connection criteria.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for a right shoulder rotator cuff tear was denied as there is no evidence of VA treatment or diagnosis of such condition.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted, with the effective date pending further development.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 11, 2016 and since that date was denied. The Board found no evidence of exceptional or unusual features associated with the Veteran's hearing loss disability.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter, and is not otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and grants service connection for this condition.