Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. His tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are not service connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability or tinnitus disability, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they did not manifest during active duty or within one year of separation.,The Veteran's hypertension is service-connected as it was present in service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the issue regarding service connection for tinnitus due to a full grant of the benefit sought on appeal with respect to that issue. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not the result of disease or injury in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not service-connected as they were not caused or aggravated by his military service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's current conditions are more likely due to obesity for sleep apnea, and noise exposure is not shown to have caused his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for headaches were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting higher ratings under the applicable criteria.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there was no showing of continuity of symptoms after discharge. The VA examinations indicated mixed hearing loss but did not establish a link to service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the AOJ found that Attorney R.B.G. was entitled to payment of attorney fees from past-due benefits at a rate of 20 percent, totaling $18,523.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable (0%) due to pure tone thresholds and speech recognition scores that do not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board has determined that he does not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's hearing acuity has been, at worst, Level I in his right ear and Level I in his left ear. As a result, he is not entitled to an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination, and the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss may be related to his active duty head injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore cannot establish service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the rating period on appeal. The VA audiological examinations have consistently shown level IV hearing impairment in the right ear, which does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant, through his authorized representative, requesting withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as Level I in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and adjustment disorder) is addressed separately.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and reopened the claims for right ear hearing loss and infections, but found that there was no causal relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran was exposed to noise during service and has experienced symptoms of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus continuously since separation from service. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is attributable to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is manifested by no worse than a Level II hearing acuity in his right ear and a Level III hearing acuity in his left ear, with no exceptional hearing loss pattern in either ear. The criteria for an initial compensable evaluation are not met.