Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the evidence at least in equipoise as to their etiology.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable since April 17, 2009. The VA examinations have shown that the Veteran's hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and a new audiological opinion to determine the likely etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal involves disagreement with the initial rating assigned following the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical inquiry and to include any outstanding VA treatment records in the claims file.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain additional private medical records from a provider identified by the Veteran. The case will be remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to various procedural issues and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no evidence to support a higher evaluation during the appeal period.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, with no evidence of worsening or exceptional factors that would render application of the schedule impractical.

The Veteran's right leg radicular symptoms are secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of traumatic brain injury are currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective December 15, 2010. The VA examiner found that the Veteran has mild headaches and dizziness due to his TBI, which do not affect his ability to work or daily activities significantly.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as Level I, which corresponds to a noncompensable rating. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to the consistent findings of Level I hearing in both ears throughout the appeal period.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no longer has jurisdiction over the merits of this case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his military service, including noise exposure. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss did not manifest in service, within the one year presumptive period or for many years thereafter, and is unrelated to any noise exposure during active duty service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is likely related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as there are no findings or determinations regarding it.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a current psychiatric disability, likely PTSD or another acquired psychiatric condition. Service connection is also established for sleep apnea. The claim for cluster headaches remains pending.

The Veteran's hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and the Board finds that there is no medical nexus between his current hearing loss disability and service.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7522 as he does not have physical deformity of the penis with loss of erectile power. The VA examiner found no penile deformity in the Veteran's case.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms which most closely equate to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 9411. The Board finds that there is no medical evidence of record supporting an increase in disability rating beyond this level.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not, either individually or collectively, preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional records and a new examination.