Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran now meets the threshold criterion for current bilateral hearing loss disability, as evidenced by VA and private audiometry results showing pure tone thresholds indicative of such a disability. Therefore, the appeal is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran's claimed disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board after completion of these actions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective May 2, 2014. The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is currently rated as 30 percent disabling.,The Veteran seeks higher evaluations for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not a result of his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to ensure all relevant evidence is considered in the decision regarding the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The case is therefore being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The claim for increased rating for PTSD was granted, but the initial noncompensable rating remains in effect.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including exposure to noise from jet engines. As a result, he is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. Therefore, service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and Meniere's disease with vertigo are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, as they were first experienced during service. The evidence shows current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with no standard threshold shift in either ear at separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. Service connection and a noncompensable rating were granted for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with associated radicular symptoms in his bilateral lower extremities. The issue of service connection for psoriasis remains pending as it requires further review.

The Board has determined that the claims file is incomplete and requires additional service treatment records, specifically a missing separation examination from active service. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA audiological examination to determine the relationship between his current hearing loss and tinnitus and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his bilateral hearing loss and because of an incomplete VA Form 21-8940. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are found to be the primary causes of his diagnosed depressive disorder with anxious distress features. The Board grants service connection for this acquired psychiatric disability on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional information and evidence, as well as to schedule a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to noise during basic training. As a result, the claims for service connection for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an initial compensable rating at any time during this appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been shown to be productive of no more than a Level II hearing impairment in the right ear and Level III in the left ear, warranting no more than a noncompensable [zero percent] rating under the pertinent diagnostic code.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is rated as non-compensable, with no effective date provided.