Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for an anaphylactic bee sting allergy and TDIU are also remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 80 percent, effective from the date of the June 2016 VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to his period of active service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA audiological examination and obtaining outstanding treatment records.

The Board determined that service connection is not warranted for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active duty.,Service connection was also denied for a dental condition, as there was no indication of compensable disability and the Veteran did not meet eligibility criteria under any specific class.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability, finding that it is not due to any in-service event or exposure.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss and finds that new evidence received since the final denial shows a current right ear hearing loss disability. However, the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that this disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability before the Board could make a decision.

The Board finds that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss was not aggravated by service, and his tinnitus is due to in-service noise exposure. The claims for service connection are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not etiologically related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to service or an incident of service origin, including noise exposure. The Board finds the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran incurred hearing loss due to any incident of his military service.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and residuals of traumatic brain injury, but granted service connection for left knee retropatellar pain syndrome and right ankle sprain residuals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability must be remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and opinions.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's noise exposure during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since March 2012. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment due to his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus II, insomnia disorder, and prostate cancer. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU pursuant to 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) are met.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and determined that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, meeting VA's definition of a hearing loss disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385. Service connection for PTSD with depressive disorder, NOS, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and neurological disabilities of the left upper extremity and both lower extremities is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an updated VA examination to assess the current nature of his hearing loss disability.