Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss did not present such an exceptional or unusual disability picture with related factors as marked interference with employment or necessitated frequent periods of hospitalization so as to render the regular schedular standards impractical. The evidence is insufficient to establish that he was unemployable due to service-connected disabilities during the period from August 3, 2011 to January 8, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to inconsistencies in the audiometric data and the need for additional opinions regarding the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his military service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, cold injuries of the lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathies have been granted service connection. The issue of an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU prior to April 25, 2011 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for his bilateral hearing loss from April 10, 2013. For TDIU prior to April 25, 2011, the Board noted inconsistencies and unreliable results in audiometric evaluations, finding that the Veteran was not rendered unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran served in the Navy and had periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). He claims his current hearing impairment is related to noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available. His bilateral hearing loss was initially granted a non-compensable rating and then denied for an increased rating from September 17, 2015.

The Veteran's atrial fibrillation is rated at 60 percent, effective June 8, 2012. The Board found that the symptoms of the service-connected atrial fibrillation meet the schedular criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and Meniere's disease, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability or evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the former being granted an initial compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, right toe condition, and bilateral hearing loss are related to his military service. The Board has also found that there is no evidence of a current right toe disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a video conference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues are service connection for hearing loss and service connection for Ischemic Heart Disease, claimed as associated with herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, and migraines have been withdrawn. The appeal for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded.

The Veteran's other specified and stressor-related disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and benign prostatic hyperplasia with lower urinary tract symptoms are related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the etiology of his claimed disabilities, specifically bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and COPD with chronic bronchitis.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not occur in service and denied his claim. The left ear hearing loss was determined to be pre-existing, but no aggravation during service was shown.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not currently have a psychiatric disability, to include depression. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disability is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a continuity of symptoms dating back to service or a presumptive period.