Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board is dismissing the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is a current disability and was incurred in service due to noise exposure, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active duty service. The low back disability is not currently service connected, but the Board finds in favor of granting it based on credible statements regarding in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not caused by his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, specifically noise exposure during active duty in Vietnam. The evidence supports a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is reopened. However, the evidence does not meet the criteria for a current disability as defined in 38 C.F.R. § 3.385 and thus the claim is denied. The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to service and granted service connection for this condition. Service connection was also granted for tinnitus, which is considered a symptom of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, and therefore denied his claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since the effective date of service connection. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted, as new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim. Bilateral hearing loss is linked by a medical professional to his active service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to January 5, 2017 was denied. Since then, his claim has been granted with an increased rating of 10 percent effective January 5, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his disability warrants any rating in excess of those already assigned.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has resulted in marked interference with her employment as a call center professional, and the Board finds that an extraschedular rating of 10 percent is warranted for this period.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 23, 2015 was denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent from April 23, 2015 was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment since August 10, 2000. As a result, the criteria for entitlement to TDIU have been met since that time.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating prior to April 17, 2015, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for psoriasis. The claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability was granted based on new evidence. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not addressed as it preexisted service.

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

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and traumatic brain injury were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.