Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus is denied as his first communication to VA was on May 15, 2013.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining STRs and a VA examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to noise during combat operations. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to service, with the evidence being in equipoise on this issue. Therefore, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have right ear hearing loss for VA purposes and his current right and left knee conditions are less likely than not related to service. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection. The left wrist disability is rated at 10% and the low back pain is increased to 10%. These ratings are effective as of February 9, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and post-service medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current disability found.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and frostbite of both feet, as well as increased ratings for lumbar strain and cervical strain, a compensable rating for hemorrhoids, and a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his current level of hearing impairment does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to November 3, 2010.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be due to service and/or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 21, 2016 and as of that date was denied. The Board found no evidence supporting a rating higher than the current 10 percent or 20 percent ratings.,Service connection claims for right eye disorder, left eye disorder, alcohol dependence, liver disorder, renal disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and lower extremities were all denied.

The Veteran's Cesarean section scars are rated as 10 percent disabling. Service connection is granted for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and hearing loss, with the latter being assigned a non-compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 1, 2010 were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The Board has determined that the evidence currently of record is sufficient to substantiate the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was incurred in service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disorder and remanded it to allow for further development. The claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, with the exception of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen claims for right foot disorder and left foot disorder.