Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as well as whether it is related to service-connected tinnitus. The case will be remanded for these actions.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss and any functional effects resulting from such. The case will be readjudicated after all necessary actions are completed.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations and therefore denied his claim of service connection for hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 80 percent disabling, and the Board has found that this rating is appropriate based on the evidence of record. The issue of TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20 percent from October 27, 2016, forward. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including those presumed due to in-service radiation exposure, have been denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and a need for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to May 11, 2017. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding of TDIU prior to this date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her VA treatment records and a new VA examination to determine the current severity of her service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, right lower extremity radiculopathy, chronic lumbar strain with mild disc disease, migraines, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of July 27, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during active service or to a compensable degree within one year of separation from active service, and the most probative evidence of record shows that the bilateral hearing loss is not etiologically related to active service. Therefore, the criteria for service connection have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, were denied as there is no current diagnosed disability for VA purposes and the claimed stressor was not corroborated by credible supporting evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection and his hearing loss disability is not entitled to a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,Service connection for residuals of coccyx fracture is denied as there is no evidence of such a condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his service, with the evidence being at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions began during service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for compliance with a prior remand directive and to address the requirements of CUE in a 1989 rating decision. The claim will be readjudicated after any necessary development.