Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were incurred in service, with no link to service-connected conditions or other presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings for bursitis of the right shoulder and left shoulder have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial disability rating for a bilateral hearing loss disability prior to June 6, 2014 has been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of the back that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service. The claim for service connection for a back disability is denied.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD is granted, and he meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his numerous service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted. Bilateral hearing loss is found to be etiologically related to noise trauma sustained in active service, while tinnitus is also found to be etiologically related to the same noise trauma.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn due to his request in a March 2017 statement.,The Veteran's claims for service connection and ratings related to hearing loss, psoriasis, and secondary disabilities are dismissed as the issues were withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss have been denied. The decision also found that a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is not warranted.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, specifically whether it is secondary to his service-connected right ear hearing loss and/or tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death is related to his active military service, granting service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss. The appellant will need to provide any relevant medical records from the Oklahoma City VAMC.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during military service, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated records and arranging for a VA examination to clarify the nature and likely cause of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability in either ear as defined by VA standards, and thus denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for tuberculosis, bilateral hearing loss, or a heart condition. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for service connection for lumbar spondylosis. The Board found that there was no evidence to support higher disability ratings or service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability has been evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which is secondary to his service-connected tinnitus, has been remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of the separate theory raised by his representative.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is etiologically related to his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to evaluate the effect of all service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.