Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his exposure to loud noise during service, and thus grants the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating prior to July 20, 2017 and an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board. The Veteran's hearing loss disability is rated at 10 percent since July 20, 2017.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder, sinus disorder (including sinusitis), heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, eye disorder, skin disorder of the feet, upper extremities disorder (manifested by swelling, pain in joints, cramping, and tightness), bilateral or unilateral wrist disorder, disorder of bilateral or unilateral hands and fingers, and hearing loss are all granted as they were incurred in service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination and review of additional evidence, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his military service, granting his claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was incurred in service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and the Board finds that competent, credible, and probative evidence establishes that tinnitus is etiologically related to the Veteran's active service. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of an ear infection, and a bilateral eye disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and right ear hearing loss were not caused by his in-service injury, disease, or event. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right ear hearing loss claims are inextricably intertwined, necessitating remand for further development. The case will be returned to the Board after appropriate development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to inadequate audiometric testing. The VA needs to schedule the Veteran for a new examination and obtain all pertinent records, including from the Guam VA CBOC.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 13, 2016, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is being remanded due to the need for a local RO hearing.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his puretone threshold scores prior to October 23, 2007 did not warrant an increased disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, particularly in relation to service exposure. The AOJ is instructed to obtain missing service treatment records and refer the case for an addendum opinion from the examiner who performed the June 2016 examination.

The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on the audiometric test results provided. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted with an effective date of March 3, 2015. This decision was based on evidence showing the Veteran could not secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable, and his right foot disability has not met the criteria for a compensable rating.,Both conditions have been rated based on their direct service connection without any presumption or secondary theory of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as he has passed away.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and additional examination. The case will be returned for further review.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability before the Board could make a decision.