Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and thus resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran. The Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his subsequent request for an increased rating to more than 10 percent since September 8, 2017, was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's inner ear disability, diagnosed as sensorineural hearing loss, was not incurred in service and is not otherwise related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and ischemic heart disease were not found to be service-connected. The Board denied the claims for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, respiratory disorder (COPD), hypertension, heart disorder, bilateral hearing loss, right eye disability, right leg disability, and bilateral foot disability. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of these conditions and/or insufficient evidence to establish a link between them and service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under VA's rating schedule.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, skin cancer, and PVD. The claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred during active service and is not etiologically related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred and is causally related to his active service, resulting in a grant of service connection for tinnitus. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the back disability. Service connection was also granted for hearing loss, but not for the leg disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disease or injury. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected TBI, and therefore cannot establish service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches as secondary to or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been granted, with a rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the August 2017 TDIU Vocational Assessment Report and the need for a new VA examination to address his service-connected disabilities' impact on employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis was also denied, with the examiner finding that the condition pre-existed service and did not worsen during service.

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

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure is related to his current condition. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is service-connected, but his claims for loss of right and left upper teeth are denied as there is no evidence of in-service trauma or dental disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service records and medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.