Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied because there is no evidence of a hearing disability within one year of separation from service. His claim for NSC pension was also denied as he did not meet the income and net worth thresholds required for the benefit.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and is now considering the increased rating claim for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, rated at 10 percent, has not improved and continues to result in a 10 percent rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal request from the appellant.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing on all issues currently on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Board video conference hearing at a location proximate to his current domicile.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case as a result.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including noise exposure during his time as a helicopter pilot. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development to determine the severity of his service-connected cervical spine spondylosis, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, bilateral shoulder disorder (claimed as Degenerative Joint Disease), bilateral knee disorder (claimed as Degenerative Joint Disease), bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran also needs a new examination to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is causally related to noise exposure during active service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for tinnitus. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss and bilateral eye condition are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and right upper extremity radiculopathy were denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 2, 2015, for the payment of dependency allowance for his spouse was denied because he did not meet the requirement of having a combined disability rating of 30 percent or greater at that time. The issue of entitlement to a concurrent retirement and VA disability payment in an amount greater than $3,211.39 is remanded due to lack of proper notice.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as the Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate June 2010 VA examination, and additional development is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, as evidenced by noise exposure during basic training and combat in Korea. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.