Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus will be reviewed again with new evidence and expert opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board. The case is being remanded to obtain audiogram results from an August 2013 VA audiology note.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The non-compensable (0%) rating assigned by the RO in its March 2010 rating decision is therefore denied.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was reduced from a 20% rating to a 10% rating, and his bilateral hearing loss was reduced from a 30% rating to noncompensable. The effective dates for these reductions were amended to June 1, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that it did not meet the schedular requirements and that there was insufficient evidence to show he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss preexisted service and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for service connection purposes due to lack of hearing loss in his left ear. For his right ear, there is no evidence of a significant change in hearing between entrance and separation from service, and the VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's hearing loss was not related to service based on the absence of a significant change in hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are as likely as not attributable to service, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA audiology records and a new examination. The Veteran was previously granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss with a rating of 20 percent effective December 14, 2011.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is found to be related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left orchiectomy (left testicle injury), prostate disorder, bladder disorder, heart disease, and hypertension have been denied. The VA examiner found no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss, exposure to herbicides, and headaches. The Veteran currently does not have a current disability for which he can seek service connection.

The Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes in either ear, and therefore his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a right hip disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Army Reserve records and verifying specific periods of active duty training.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss warrants a 100% rating effective December 29, 2008.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain correctional facility treatment records and an opinion regarding the etiology of bilateral hearing loss. The appeal is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing left ear hearing loss did not worsen during service beyond its natural progression, and thus denied his claim for service connection.