Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule VA examinations for his claimed conditions. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with current evidence showing they were present during service. As such, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective January 28, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 50% evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to have had its onset in service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service and that there is a continuity of symptomatology since discharge.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lower back disability and to determine if he has bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The claim for tinnitus is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye disorder and back disorder were withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision. The claim for increased rating for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to new evidence of worsening.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology. The VA examiner found the current hearing loss and tinnitus less likely than not caused by or a result of an event in military service.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or current disability within one year after separation from service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural 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 or other event or occurrence during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a statement from M.J.L., PA. The Veteran's claim for a specially adapted housing grant is being returned to the AOJ for further review.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further development due to conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 60% since November 18, 2016. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, effective from April 7, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied prior to October 13, 2016. On and after that date, the Veteran is granted a 10% disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ear sensorineural hearing loss is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.