Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board is remanding the case for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, specifically addressing whether these conditions are related to service due to noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a Travel Board hearing due to the Veteran's request.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic pyelonephritis with chronic cystitis, degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the knees, hearing loss, and tinnitus, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that a TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable since February 2011. From October 28, 2016, the rating was increased to 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his bilateral hearing loss, including a request for an increased rating and earlier effective date. The case is being remanded due to the need for a travel board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his active service and has granted entitlement to service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected hearing loss in both ears and carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral wrists. The right ear hearing loss was found not to meet the criteria for a compensable rating, while the left ear hearing loss was rated as 0% due to lack of service connection. Service connection for the left ear hearing loss was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service, including noise exposure. The claim was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and further evaluation is needed to determine if the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a compensable rating for dermatitis. The decision found that there was no evidence of in-service hearing loss or skin condition, and thus could not be presumed due to noise exposure or any other basis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 4, 2009 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The January 1956 rating decision denying service connection was not found to be clearly and unmistakably erroneous. There is no evidence of a valid claim within one year before November 4, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing on all issues, including the claim of service connection for GERD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus. However, the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for bilateral hearing loss as it did not manifest during service or within one year after separation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence now shows current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is etiologically due to his active duty service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the likely cause of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and whether it is related to his service, specifically noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was at worst manifested by Level II hearing acuity in both ears, and thus did not warrant a compensable initial rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.