Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, a back disability, and IBS. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is at least as much evidence supporting these claims as against them.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for right knee disability as not related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely related to his noise exposure during active duty, including in Vietnam. Therefore, service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are attributable to service, and therefore grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and IBS were not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of in-service injury or illness. The preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in physical or mental incapacity that prevents him from attending to the needs of nature, caring for himself, or protecting himself from the hazards of his environment. Further, the Veteran is not in receipt of a 100 percent schedular rating or in receipt of a total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Board has decided that the VA examiner's opinion regarding the service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is inadequate, and thus remands the case for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed hearing loss, tinnitus, asthma, bilateral feet bone spurs with falling arches, and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they did not manifest during his period of active service or within one year thereafter, and there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he does not have a current disability meeting the criteria for VA compensation purposes. The claims for increased evaluations of TMJ and pes planus with plantar fasciitis were dismissed due to the Veteran's request to withdraw them.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at a 10 percent since April 2012, which is the earliest date of evidence showing this level of impairment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence supports a causal relationship to in-service noise exposure. As such, these claims are granted.

The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss has been upheld at 50 percent, effective January 28, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military noise exposure. Service connection for headaches was also granted based on a link between the Veteran's in-service head injury and his current symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are causally related to his military service. The other issues on appeal remain unresolved.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they are related to his in-service exposure to loud noise, which is conceded. The evidence shows a continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his appeals for the right ear hearing loss disability and sleep disability claims.