Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition warranted a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been evaluated based on the criteria provided in the rating schedule. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a higher disability rating for any of the conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss were found to have onset during service, warranting service connection for both conditions.

Service connection for left ear hearing loss was granted effective May 5, 1988.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as the claim was not received within one year of the original denial.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, stroke, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection in any of these cases.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was manifested by hearing acuity no worse than Level II in the right ear and Level IV in the left ear, with no exceptional pattern of hearing loss. The Board found that a compensable rating is not warranted based on these findings.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 30 percent disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the reduction from 30 to 20 percent was improper and without observance of law.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they are related to in-service acoustic trauma exposure. The issues of entitlement to service connection for upper extremity neuropathy and TDIU have been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of his vertigo symptoms in conjunction with his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to service and grants his claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to service or post-service ear infections with related surgery. The Veteran contends his current hearing loss is a result of chronic recurrent bilateral ear infections in service, while VA medical opinions suggest it may be related to pre-existing conditions and/or surgical procedures.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right eye disability, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for new examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining updated medical records. The TDIU application should also be completed.

The Board found that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or event causing a right knee disability. The Veteran's private physician stated the hearing loss may be related to noise exposure during service, but this was not sufficient to establish service connection as VA does not presume such conditions for ACDUTRA. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, an initial rating higher than 70 percent disabling for anxiety disorder, and entitlement to TDIU were denied due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss is due to aggravation during service, and thus service connection for hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and Vet Center treatment records, audiometric test results, and a new VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling an audiology examination. The issue of TDIU will be addressed after adjudication of the increased rating claim for hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, as there is no positive nexus opinion in the record. The preponderance of evidence is against the claims.