Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he claims was caused by noise exposure during his military service. The case has been remanded to obtain a new opinion from an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is the result of noise exposure during military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected. However, his pituitary tumor and endocrine imbalance are not found to be related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection, with the rating for tinnitus set at its maximum of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (labyrinthine vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss) result in a combined 40 percent rating. The evidence of record weighs against a finding that the Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the June 1991 rating decision. The Veteran's death benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 were also denied as he did not meet the criteria for total disability compensation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical literature regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus (DM II), and PTSD, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C, gastrointestinal disorder, and headache disorder are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is now shown to be for VA purposes, and the Board finds that it is at least as likely as not related to his active service. As a result, the appeal is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, gout, and hypertension, are found to preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during his active service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability had its onset during his period of active service and is etiologically related to in-service exposure to hazardous noise levels. The Board grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his military noise exposure. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be etiologically related to his period of active service, and the Board finds that service connection for tinnitus is established. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was addressed in a separate decision.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the audiometric results provided.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn by the accredited representative, and thus no further action is required.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, including noise exposure. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further proceedings, including obtaining clarification and supplemental opinions regarding the need for aid and attendance based on service-connected disabilities. The claim is also being remanded to issue a Statement of the Case for issues related to service connection or the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to DIC.