Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 27, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of reopening his service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a videoconference hearing at the RO. The Veteran's appeal includes claims related to various conditions and disabilities, including tinnitus, glaucoma, allergic rhinitis/sinusitis, esotropia, diplopia, hearing loss, hypertension, GERD, and prostate cancer.

The Board has found that the Veteran's low back disorder is not related to his active service and denied the claim. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased initial rating for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. For other conditions, including residuals of heat stroke and hypertension, additional medical examination and treatment records are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA guidelines.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA regulations, and there is no recent diagnosis prior to his filing of the claim. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, as there is not a reliable source of audiometric data. The Board also found that the criteria to establish a TDIU are not met.

The Veteran's appeal seeking an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn by the Veteran's representative. As a result, there are no remaining issues for the Board to consider.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities prior to April 29, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations if necessary. The case will be readjudicated after the development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to acoustic trauma, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, which pre-existed military service, was not aggravated during active military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule him for examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including right shoulder disability, hypertension, heart disability (mitral valve prolapse), PTSD, TBI, lumbar strain, and need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection petitions for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been remanded due to the Veteran's inability to attend a scheduled hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss, as defined by VA regulations. Therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a video conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The issues include reopening of service connection claims and new service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of more than noncompensable hearing impairment during the appeal period.,Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus (DMII) and hypertension are not granted as these conditions did not manifest within one year after separation from active service, were not otherwise caused by active service, and do not have a link to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's stroke residuals are not service connected as they did not have their onset during active service, were not otherwise caused by active service, and are not proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected disability.,Service connection for asbestosis is denied as there is no evidence of its occurrence in service or within an applicable presumptive period.,The claims to reopen the previously denied right knee and left knee disabilities were withdrawn by the Veteran during his hearing, thus these issues are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including exposure to loud noise from aircraft engines and gunfire. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.