Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss existed prior to his military service and did not worsen during service. Therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 23, 2013 was denied as his puretone threshold average did not warrant a compensable evaluation. The claim for a higher disability rating for left shoulder separation remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, but his right ear hearing loss is not. The Veteran served in combat and both conditions were noted during service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to his military service and the claim for service connection has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disease during service or within one year after discharge. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD prior to July 19, 2016 was also denied due to lack of continuity of symptomatology. For the period beginning July 19, 2016 and thereafter, a higher rating for PTSD is not granted as there is no evidence that the disability has worsened beyond what is contemplated by the current 30 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, but he is granted service connection for tinnitus due to credible assertions of its onset during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from the examiner who conducted his September 2011 audiological examination. The examiner will address whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus had its onset in service or is otherwise related to any incident of service, including acknowledged in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms were found to more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood from July 17, 2009 to November 21, 2013. The initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted at 10 percent since July 17, 2009 and increased to 50 percent effective November 22, 2013. TDIU was also granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his exposure to acoustic trauma during service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The other issues were either not addressed or are pending further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as service connected. The Board found that the current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to events of his active service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new examination if necessary. The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and hearing loss will be reconsidered.

The Board has ordered a remand for another VA examination to determine if the Veteran's tinnitus is caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The case will be returned to the Board after this additional development.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability was rated at a noncompensable level prior to August 14, 2013. A compensable rating of 10 percent is granted effective from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, specifically noise exposure during active duty. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during service, and thus denied these claims. The claim for retinitis pigmentosa remains pending as it was not addressed in the April 2016 remand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a present disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes, and thus service connection is denied. The claim for hepatitis C was remanded but no further action could be taken due to lack of records.