Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and a review of his claims file.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise on the question of a nexus between the Veteran's service and his current tinnitus. Therefore, service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has not met the criteria for a compensable rating during any period on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing. The rating and effective date remain pending as the issues are still under review.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied the remaining issues due to lack of evidence linking them to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially and materially to his cause of death, leading to dementia. The Board finds that the evidence supports the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability during or as a result of his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss was aggravated during his active duty service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hearing loss had its onset in service and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU has been referred to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a new VA medical opinion regarding whether these conditions were caused by noise exposure during his active service.

The Veteran's hearing loss was reduced from 60% to 0%, effective December 1, 2009. The reduction was proper as the Veteran's hearing improved and met criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and bruxism were both denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 10% for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as Level V, corresponding to no higher than a noncompensable rating. The Board finds that this level of impairment does not warrant a compensable rating.