Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and hypertension did not meet the criteria for service connection, as they were not shown to be related to his military service or due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has not resulted in a compensable evaluation as his pure tone thresholds and speech discrimination scores do not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current bilateral hearing loss, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran's type II diabetes is presumed service connected due to exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam Era service. However, the Board finds that his current bilateral hearing loss is not related to in-service noise exposure and thus denies this claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and the Board finds that it is less likely than not caused by his military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination and opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities' impact on employment.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is productive of level III hearing acuity in the right ear and level I hearing acuity in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board finds that the current evaluation adequately reflects the severity of the Veteran's disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims are supported by credible statements regarding in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is as likely as not caused by noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The Board also granted service connection for this condition, finding that it was incurred in service due to noise exposure during combat.

The Board has determined that there is at least a 50% likelihood (equipoise) that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, despite a lack of audiometric findings during separation. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran is not rendered unable to obtain (secure) or maintain (follow) substantially gainful employment as a result of service-connected disabilities for any period.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating prior to December 6, 2010 due to service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but the issue of service connection for a left knee injury is not resolved. The Veteran's claim for this condition remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. However, the issue of service connection for tinnitus is being remanded due to a failure to provide a statement of the case (SOC).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability and an initial rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence to support a nexus between his current disabilities and service. The Veteran's claim for increased rating was also denied as there is no basis for a higher evaluation.