Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including radiculopathy, DDD cervical spine, bilateral hearing loss, and DDD cervical spine - left upper extremity, precluded him from securing and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a clarifying VA audiology opinion to address the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a laceration of the left third finger over the distal aspect of the proximal phalanx on the radial side, finding that it is related to the Veteran's military service. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) and left ear hearing loss are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has requested the Veteran's missing service treatment records and is remanding the case for these records to be obtained. The appeal will then be readjudicated.

The Veteran's tinnitus and current bilateral hearing loss disability are found to be related to his military service. However, the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed hepatitis disability for which he is seeking service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA audiological examination and updated medical records.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is related to his acknowledged in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's assertions of in-service noise exposure are credible.,Regarding the left shoulder condition, the case is REMANDED to obtain additional medical records and provide a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's assertions regarding in-service noise exposure and current symptoms are credible. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence of a medical nexus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss (also claimed as pain in left ear) was reopened, and his PTSD resulted in a disability rating of 70 percent. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset and was shown in service, and there have been subsequent manifestations of the same chronic disease during the appeal period. As such, pursuant to 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b), as the Veteran's tinnitus (a chronic disease for purposes of VA regulations) was shown in service and there have been subsequent manifestations of the same chronic disease during the appeal period, the Board concludes that tinnitus was incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, with tinnitus being found to have continuity of symptoms since service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and any in-service noise exposure. The Veteran reported an incident during active duty where he was near a grenade explosion, but audiometric testing did not show any significant changes from his pre-service levels.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the increased evaluation for a bilateral hearing loss, and as such, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder have been granted service connection. The Veteran is now rated at 50% for his other specified trauma and stressor related disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as his current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss, headaches, and gastrointestinal disability are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine are related to his military service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability and an ulcer disease, but reopened these claims. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is not supported by evidence showing a current diagnosis.