Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptoms post-service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals of a right rib fracture is denied as he does not have current residuals of the injury. The claims for hearing loss and increased rating for shoulder disability are remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that a new VA audiological examination is necessary to fully address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims are being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the underlying claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss can be adjudicated on the merits.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for entitlement to earlier effective dates for TDIU, DEA, and PTSD. The RO granted these benefits on April 4, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, with a finding of at least equipoise evidence in favor of service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are incurred in or caused by his military service, warranting a grant of service connection for both conditions.

From August 13, 2012 to December 11, 2013, the Veteran's hearing loss was not compensable.,From December 12, 2013 to September 14, 2015, the Veteran received a 20% rating for his bilateral hearing loss.,Since September 14, 2015, the Veteran has been assigned a 10% rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, satisfied with the March 2016 rating decision that increased his hearing loss disability to a 30% rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for additional records and an opinion on whether his current hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with tinnitus being more likely than not due to noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of cancer to the back of the tongue were denied as these conditions are not related to his military service. The claim for residuals of cancer to the back of the tongue was granted based on presumed exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA audiology examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred during or aggravated by his military service, and the Board finds that it is more likely related to post-service noise exposure with his employment as a railroad carman.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that his current hearing loss is related to otosclerosis, a genetic condition, and not due to in-service acoustic trauma or other exposure. The tinnitus was found to be related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss with history of otitis media and otitis externa, right ear otitis media and otitis externa, and tinea pedis have been rated as noncompensably disabling (0%). The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a Central Office hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and coronary artery disease are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

From December 29, 2010 to October 10, 2012, the Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 60 percent and his tinnitus at 10 percent.,The Veteran is now entitled to a 100 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss as of October 10, 2012. He also qualifies for SMC based on deafness in both ears starting from that date.,Prior to October 10, 2012, the Veteran was granted TDIU.