Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's appeal of the ratings for bilateral hearing loss and diabetic retinopathy with bilateral cataracts remains pending. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also pending.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted a compensable rating prior to August 17, 2016 or a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for updated VA audiometric testing and private treatment records, as well as re-adjudication of the reduction in evaluation claim.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not demonstrate exceptional or unusual manifestations of a hearing loss disability such as would render the available schedular ratings inadequate.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, a respiratory condition, sensitive nerve system, dizziness and loss of balance, gout, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's claims remain denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions are found to be related to his military service. The decision also notes that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure resulting in a current diagnosis of hearing loss.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with continuous symptoms since separation. The criteria for service connection have been met.

The case is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and provide supplemental opinions regarding the Veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, specifically his exposure to noise during active duty. The claim for tinnitus is granted as it meets the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable since August 25, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA audiological examination and review of the Veteran's VA treatment records since December 2015. The Veteran is seeking an increased disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss should be remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent since November 16, 2009. The VA and private audiometric tests have shown unreliable results due to the Veteran's non-organic hearing impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination or opinion to determine if the Veteran's vertigo was aggravated by her service-connected left ear hearing loss, left ear tympanic membrane perforation, or any other service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure of the VA audiological examinations scheduled in conjunction with his original claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The case will be returned to the Board for further review after additional efforts are made to reschedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability had its onset in active service or is otherwise causally related to active service. The claim will be remanded for further development and consideration.