Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's assertions were considered, but did not provide sufficient new information.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss will be reconsidered.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and kidney stones, but granted a noncompensable evaluation for his right ear hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 70 percent, and he is granted a separate compensable disability rating for TBI. The hearing loss in the left ear has been service-connected, and his migraine headaches have also received an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining missing VA and military records, scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his diagnosed conditions, and providing him with an opportunity to respond.

The Veteran's hypertension, cerebrovascular accident (including residuals) associated with hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss are all service-connected. The Veteran is currently rated at 20% for his lumbar degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling prior to May 16, 2012. The Board also granted the Veteran a TDIU for his service-connected disabilities prior to May 10, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus are causally related to his military service, specifically due to noise exposure during active duty. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss as the mechanical application of VA regulations did not meet the criteria set forth in the rating schedule.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD with claustrophobia, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The increased rating claim for asbestosis is remanded. The TDIU issue remains in appellate status.

The Board found that a timely Notice of Disagreement was not received by VA within one year from the date of notification of the September 9, 2014, rating decision. As such, the appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are due to in-service acoustic trauma, while his left ear hearing loss is not. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's depression is caused by her other service-connected disabilities, specifically her vision loss.,PTSD was not incurred in or caused by the Veteran's service. The Veteran's sleep disorder (insomnia) associated with PTSD and her bilateral eye disorder are also related to her service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 20 percent since July 20, 2010. The Board found that the Veteran is entitled to a higher disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not have its onset in service, was not shown to be related to his active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.