Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and stomach disorder, H. pylori due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board found that the reduction in rating from 30 percent to 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss was not proper and restored the original 30 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable prior to August 5, 2016 and currently rated at 20 percent from that date. The Board found the current evaluation of 20 percent is appropriate based on his audiometric findings.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service personal assault, and the Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The claims of service connection for a sleep disorder, tumors of the uterus, PPD skin test, and hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a current examination regarding right ear hearing loss and for issuance of an SOC on his claims for earlier effective dates.

The Veteran's nasal deformity, status post surgical repair is rated at 10 percent under the criteria for traumatic nasal septum deviation with 50% obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides.,Service connection was denied for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service exposure to loud noise, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with Meniere's disease, which is associated with hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board found that new evidence related to the onset of these conditions during service raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to in-service acoustic trauma. The right ear hearing loss disability is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hearing loss is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the worsening of his bilateral hearing loss condition, and he has requested a new examination. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss had their onset during service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service or to a compensable degree within one year of separation, and it is not causally related to his military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the evaluation of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, and the assigned noncompensable (0%) rating has been maintained since March 16, 2006. The current effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss disability or residuals of head injury, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.