Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to his in-service acoustic trauma, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected chronic renal dysfunction with hypertension, status post left nephrectomy with residual scar was granted and assigned an effective date of May 8, 2014. The earlier effective date for the 60% evaluation is not established.

The Board has determined that service connection for bilateral hearing loss is not warranted, and an initial compensable disability rating of 10 percent is granted for migraines. The Veteran's corneal scar with photophobia of the right eye does not warrant a compensable initial disability rating.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether current bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to noise exposure during military service, and thus grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran is entitled to a statement of the case regarding his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic back disability and PTSD, as well as his claim for TDIU were denied. His initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for a current VA examination to reassess the severity of his condition, and for obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar sprain disability precludes substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss must be remanded due to inadequate medical opinion and need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes during the pendency of the appeal, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis pre-existed service and did not worsen during service, thus denying service connection. For bilateral hearing loss, the VA examiner noted a lack of separation examination available at the time of appointment, which is required to determine if there was aggravation.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to service, while his right ear hearing loss appeal was withdrawn. Service connection for left ear hearing loss has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss do not meet the criteria for needing regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied service connection for a liver disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Service connection was granted for tinnitus based on in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn for the issues of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and colon disorder. The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and/or depressive disorder). The Board also granted a 20 percent rating for each lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be the result of noise exposure during military service, and therefore service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, an acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD and depression), and right ear hearing loss as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is pending, and his initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to May 10, 2017, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter has been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a respiratory disability to include asbestosis and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking his current disabilities to his military service.