Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the current severity and impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work. The case will be readjudicated after these examinations.

The Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and the Board finds that service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain an addendum VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, taking into consideration his complete history of noise exposure.

The Veteran is unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities, which include headaches, major depressive disorder, lumbosacral strain, cervical strain, hearing loss of the right ear, status post nasal bone fracture, and a burn scar of the right forearm. As such, the criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Veteran withdrew all pending appeals, including the appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and status post concussion with dizziness preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated at 60 percent since September 6, 2012. The criteria for a rating of 60 percent for cardiomegaly have been met from the date of claim until August 11, 2009. As of August 12, 2009, the Veteran's cardiomegaly is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is connected to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran died from a head injury sustained as a result of a fall, with contributing causes of hypertensive cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. The cause of death is unrelated to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and arranging for examinations to determine the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hallux valgus disabilities. The AOJ should review the claims and readjudicate them if necessary.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for a video conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is found to have begun during his military service and is therefore granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, which is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and prostate cancer residuals, needs further examination as the current VA examiner's opinion was internally inconsistent.

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

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service. The VA examiner concluded that it was less likely than not that the Veteran's hearing loss was caused by noise exposure in service.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant, through his authorized representative, has withdrawn it.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and did not address the initial compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss or residuals of a right knee contusion prior to May 6, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD is attributable to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity experienced in service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are service-connected, but her head injury and anemia claims are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions. Her bilateral hearing loss and skin disorder (mycosis fungoides) were not incurred in service.