Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for hearing loss disability. The Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service, as evidenced by in-service noise exposure and symptoms reported during service.

The Veteran's hearing loss and lumbar spine disability were not found to be related to service. The left foot hallux valgus was found to be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and VCAA notice.

The Veteran's TBI and chronic headaches due to head trauma have been granted service connection. The remaining issues are pending.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his increased hearing loss rating is being remanded due to the need to obtain and review his January 2015 audiogram results.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied in March 1955. The effective date for the grant of service connection is set at January 25, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The status of the left toe disability and low back disability is unknown, as they are not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records from the Veteran's reserve service and scheduling another VA audiological examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened, but his increased rating claims for bilateral hearing loss and multiple non-compensable disabilities were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left ankle disabilities, as well as a new foot disability claim, were all granted. The hearing loss claim was reduced to zero percent effective September 1, 2015.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms within one year postservice. The VA examinations did not find a link between the disabilities and service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion from an audiologist regarding whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current hearing loss of the right ear is causally or etiologically related to his military service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. His claims include seeking an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for asbestosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction have been granted.

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