Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran requested an earlier effective date for a 20 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The Board found that the earliest date of entitlement was March 15, 2010, when VA granted a 20 percent rating based on a July 2010 VA examination. No earlier effective date is warranted as there were no findings prior to March 15, 2010, that would warrant such a rating.

The Veteran's request for hearings has been addressed, and the case is being remanded due to scheduling issues. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus remains on appeal.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not incurred during or as a result of in-service noise exposure. The Board found the evidence insufficient to establish service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to in-service acoustic trauma.,The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not warrant a compensable rating at any point during the appeal period, and thus denied his claim for an increased rating.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, effective October 10, 2013. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period of time.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining additional medical records and verifying his reported stressors.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of any current bilateral hearing loss and whether it was caused or aggravated by service-connected otitis media. The Veteran's claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding this condition and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that his hearing loss existed prior to service and was not aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to her service, including in-service noise exposure. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as evidenced by normal audiometric test results during service. The Veteran did not report any complaints or treatment for these conditions during service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was denied between January 30, 2009 and June 30, 2010.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was denied between July 1, 2010 and October 30, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss since October 31, 2013 was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings and an earlier effective date for service connection was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to February 2, 2010 or in excess of 80 percent from February 2, 2010 to June 16, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no rating decision for the issue of a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is in effect.