Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's hearing acuity has not been shown to be worse than Level II in the right ear or Level I in the left, warranting a 0 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally or etiologically due to noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD was granted with a rating of 30 percent, effective May 26, 2011. His bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as there is no evidence that it is related to his in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's diabetes was diagnosed during a period of ACDUTRA, while his hearing loss and tinnitus are not shown to be related to active duty or ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's TBI and bilateral visual disability claims are denied. His bilateral hearing loss and low back disabilities are granted, but his knee disabilities remain not established.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA audiological examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, including the functional effects of his bilateral abnormal ipsilateral and contralateral acoustic reflexes on his ability to hear and understand speech.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was not granted any new evaluations or service connections.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active service, including noise exposure during service. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore cannot establish service connection. The preponderance of evidence is against the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to non-compliance with previous directives. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after the necessary information is obtained and reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for an additional examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions and missing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for additional development, including obtaining an audiogram and further medical opinions.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear tinnitus, PTSD, and oral cancer can be adjudicated. The Veteran must file timely appeals in response to the September 2017 SOCs addressing these issues. Additionally, a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's oral cancer is required.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule her for appropriate VA examinations. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence and examination results.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability are granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an adjustment disorder with anxiety that is related to his service-connected tinnitus. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also denied as there were no in-service or post-service diagnoses of this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been denied as the maximum schedular rating is already assigned.