Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining audiogram results and conducting a vocational assessment. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to a TDIU are being considered.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is a relationship between these conditions and his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus had their onset in service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. However, it is not at least as likely as not that his current hearing loss was incurred in or related to his military service.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability has been consistently rated at 100 percent since the initial grant of service connection, reflecting profound impairment in both ears.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the reduction of the rating for bilateral hearing loss from 10 percent to noncompensable was proper due to a finding of clear and unmistakable error in the May 2011 rating decision. The Veteran's disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating on or after June 1, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is connected to service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, both for accrued benefits purposes, based on the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient VA examination reports and the need for new, sufficient examinations assessing the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction were also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating for the service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board granted an effective date of September 7, 2005 for the assignment of a 40 percent disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, status-post right tympanoplasty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PUD, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss. The evidence did not show a disability picture more nearly approximating moderate or higher for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a new examination for PTSD. The case will be reviewed again after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA medical records, scheduling a VA examination regarding his bilateral hearing loss, bilateral knee disorder, lumbar strain, and PTSD, and updating the claims file with all relevant VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board also finds that there is sufficient medical evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service, including noise exposure during active duty.