Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and personnel information, as well as for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability rating from 80% to 20% effective January 1, 2014 was not proper as there is no evidence showing sustained improvement in his condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected. However, he does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder or diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient examination findings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence and a need for issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The issues include an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU.

The Veteran's headaches are rated as noncompensable, and his left ear hearing loss is service connected. However, the Board denied both issues due to lack of evidence supporting a compensable rating for headaches or service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as the current disability ratings are considered adequate based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is less than the 100% required for TDIU, and his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims were not supported by competent medical evidence showing a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD due to asbestos exposure during service, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board found that the appellant's income exceeded the maximum pension rates, thus denying her entitlement to death pension benefits.,The Board determined that reduction of the appellant's death pension benefits to $0.00 from January 1, 2012 was proper.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent prior to November 12, 2016 and higher than 10 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's lumbar spine compression fracture and sprain are not entitled to a rating higher than 20 percent.,The Veteran's L2-L4 left radiculopathy with meralgia paresthetica is rated at 10 percent prior to March 28, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial, non-compensable rating for left ear hearing loss. The evidence did not establish a nexus between current right ear hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's rating for bilateral hearing loss from 30 percent to 10 percent, effective October 1, 2009, was proper. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating is denied as his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the Veteran before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected tinnitus and hearing loss, as well as his claims for service connection for various conditions. The Veteran was granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and Meniere's syndrome with symptoms of vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure and combat injuries. The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered presumptive under the Gulf War Syndrome presumption.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure.