Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the Veteran's claimed conditions and determined that service connection cannot be established for any of the issues raised.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 151 for additional right foot disability as there was no evidence of a current disability within the meaning of VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected rhinitis, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The left ear hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and the left dorsal foot metatarsal exostosis was rated as noncompensable prior to July 15, 2016, but rated at 30% thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran currently has a left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes, but does not have a right ear hearing loss disability. The claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete examination reports and clarification of the Veteran's hearing loss diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss disability is related to active service and grants service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for hemorrhoids remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence added to the claims file since the last statement of the case. The issues on appeal include service connection for a bilateral knee disability, a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral hearing loss, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for arthritis of the right hand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, but granted service connection for these conditions based on direct evidence of their onset during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria, and the examiner found that the Veteran's symptoms are more likely due to presbycusis or other etiology.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to in-service noise exposure. The Board finds additional development necessary for the remaining issues on appeal, including a VA examination for hearing loss and hypertension.

The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 10 percent since June 10, 2015. The appeal is denied as the rating assigned is appropriate.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by auditory acuity no worse than Level I in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board finds that the evidence does not warrant a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by his military service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss disability is causally related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed by the March 2012 rating decision.

The Veteran withdrew his service connection claims for left ear and right hearing loss before the Board could make a decision.