Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and PTSD have been rated appropriately, but he is not entitled to TDIU prior to November 4, 2008.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability and right ear disability (including Eustachian tube dysfunction and hearing loss) were not found to be related to her military service.,Service connection for a recurrent left leg shin splints was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and supplemental opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left ear condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled Travel Board hearing. His claims of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss and service connection for left ear hearing loss are pending.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, with the Board finding that his current hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a mental disorders examination. The Veteran's service connection claim will be adjudicated again based on the new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he claims is due to in-service noise exposure. The VA examiner could not provide a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his hearing loss without resorting to speculation.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain a new VA audiology opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, as the previous opinions were deemed inadequate. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and found that the Veteran's current level of disability warrants a grant of service connection. The claim for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, PTSD, and tinnitus, did not render him unemployable as he had past work experience in a technical role that would have been unaffected by his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with the noise exposure he experienced while serving in the heavy weapons infantry. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a 10% rating for bilateral hearing loss as of March 26, 2015. Prior to this date, his hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a myocardial infarction, finding that the Veteran's current heart condition is proximately caused by his service-connected psychiatric disorder. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion and will be returned to the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA audiologist's opinion on whether the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his active service. The Veteran will have an opportunity to respond to this new information.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to the need for additional medical examination and review of recent medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a cardiovascular disability, based on herbicide exposure during the Vietnam Era, was denied as there is no evidence of such exposure. The Board found that his current cardiovascular disability did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter and there is no competent evidence linking it to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that this evaluation accurately reflects his disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, but granted his claims for erectile dysfunction and hypertension. The decision did not address his PTSD or provide a rating assigned.