Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for a neck disability and bilateral ankle disability is not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support a rating higher than 10 percent at any point during the appeal period.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's claim was not filed within the time period specified by VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and determining if an extraschedular rating is warranted for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied. His claim for service connection for a low back disability has been reopened, but not decided on the merits. The Veteran's scar of the right shoulder is rated at 10 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and knee disabilities have not been addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including issuing a statement of the case (SOC) regarding his claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and readjudicating his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's Meniere's disease, which includes bilateral hearing loss, vertigo attacks more than once a week, and tinnitus, has been granted a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected, as it did not manifest within one year of separation from service and was not caused by in-service noise exposure.,Prior to June 25, 2010, the Veteran's schizophrenia warranted a 70 percent rating based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. However, since then, his condition has not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asbestosis with pleural plaques, did not render him unemployable prior to October 11, 2010. From October 11, 2010 through February 6, 2013, the criteria for a TDIU were met due to his service-connected asbestosis with pleural plaques.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and conducting examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected back disability and other disabilities. The issue of a TDIU will also be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back disability was denied as the symptoms did not more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating. For his bilateral hearing loss, he is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation based on the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a supplemental VA medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are directly related to his military service, including exposure to acoustic trauma. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service acoustic trauma, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of the left arm related to service and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of bilateral hearing loss disability is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The decision addresses the issues of sleep apnea, left ear hearing loss, hiatal hernia, right ear hearing loss, and maxillary sinusitis.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, including noise exposure. The evidence does not support a finding for either direct or presumed service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for these disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they are less likely caused by or a result of his military service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.