Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and compression fracture of the 8th thoracic vertebra do not meet the criteria for service connection or an increased rating, respectively.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's degenerative changes and lordosis of the lumbar spine are found to be related to his in-service injury, raising reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to exposure to loud noise during military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, and therefore denied these claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling since the date of claim, effective March 21, 2017.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, while his lower back disorder, left knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorders are not.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA audiology examination and reviewing the September 2013 private medical opinion.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss did not manifest during her period of service and is not otherwise related to her military service, including noise exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding in favor of service connection.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and asbestosis are related to service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus the criteria for TDIU have not been met.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to active service.

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the tinea or pityriasis versicolor condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating.,Both issues were denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has received a withdrawal of the appeal from the appellant, and therefore, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability did not begin in service and is not related to his military noise exposure. The claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is characterized as productive of no worse than Level V hearing acuity in the right ear, and level III hearing acuity in the left ear for the entire appeal period. The criteria for a 10 percent rating are met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a rating of 20 percent since January 23, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VAOPT records and a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work. The claim for TDIU will be adjudicated in the first instance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including those related to herbicide exposure, are denied as the evidence does not support a finding of current disability or a link between any claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss, and for readjudication of both issues.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability has been denied as the evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.