Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether a present hearing loss disability developed as a result of noise trauma during active service, and therefore grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left ear hearing loss were not shown to be related to service, and the Board denied these claims. The Veteran also seeks increased ratings for his PTSD and TDIU, which are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms, leading to denial.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of left knee strain is remanded as it requires additional development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating determinations have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran is granted an initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 17, 2012 and a compensable rating of 40 percent from December 17, 2012 to April 24, 2016. The Veteran is also granted a compensable rating of 50 percent for bilateral hearing loss from April 25, 2016.,The Veteran is granted an initial noncompensable rating for hallux valgus of the right great toe.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Meniere's disease and left ear hearing loss, as well as his claim for an initial rating in excess of noncompensable for right ear hearing loss. The decision also noted that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his pure tone thresholds did not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability began in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The Board also finds that these conditions are related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of onset or continuity of symptoms during or immediately following service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran did not acquire a noise-induced hearing loss sufficient to draw a nexus to his current hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of proper medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 30% under the rating schedule, which does not meet his claim for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss began during active military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development and consideration of evidence, including a private medical opinion from June 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right leg disorder, specifically gastrocnemius strain, is related to stress during in-service training events and granted service connection for this condition. However, there is no evidence of a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion and updated records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is now pending.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review these issues.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, including obtaining additional evidence and an examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on the impact of all service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The TDIU issue is also being addressed.