Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 50 percent disabling throughout the rating period, and no higher rating is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is etiologically related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's medical records and requested that he provide authorization for any private treatment records. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and DDD, lumbar spine.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be related to service exposure to acoustic trauma, and he has continuous symptoms since service separation. Service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the medical opinions currently of record, and an additional VA examination is needed.

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

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and dysthymic disorder contributed to his death from drowning due to balance issues caused by the hearing loss.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as non-compensable, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. As such, the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a wound to the back of the head, lumbosacral spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, sleep apnea, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and pes planus of the right foot was granted. The effective date is April 11, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of service records showing any period of service at Camp Shelby, where the Veteran reported his hearing loss and tinnitus began. The case is now pending for further investigation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate prior VA audiological examinations and the Veteran's inability to attend an examination. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss originated during service and is related to in-service noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's schedular criteria. The evidence shows no significant effects on employment and puretone threshold averages do not reach the level required for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete records and procedural issues, including a lack of notice on how to substantiate a claim under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his active service, including exposure to noise from aircraft while working on the flight line.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a new VA audiometric examination and determination of whether extraschedular referral is warranted.