Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is being remanded for additional audiometric testing to determine if it meets the criteria for a service-connected disability. The issue will be adjudicated again after this examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no current disability meeting VA criteria for a hearing loss disability. The claim for tinnitus was granted as the evidence supported a continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA audiological examinations and a review of his hearing loss symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, but his peripheral vertigo is not. The Veteran will need to undergo a new examination for his dizziness.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure. The right ear hearing loss claim remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for review of additional evidence and for further development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine if he received proper notice of a VA examination and for other indicated development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeals.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability and a higher rating for PTSD have been denied. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable, while his PTSD remains at 30 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar strain and osteoarthritis of the lower back, right ankle disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The examiner found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted an initial increased rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and determined that the Veteran's spouse was in need of regular aid and attendance, but the issue of special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance for the Veteran's spouse is dismissed as moot due to her death.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not etiologically related to his active service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately after service. The Board also noted that the Veteran did not seek treatment for these issues during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred during his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his hearing loss began during active duty service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present bilateral hearing loss, as well as whether it is at least as likely as not related to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and pes planum) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the unavailability of his service treatment records and the need for a VA examination to determine if his current hearing loss disability originated during his period of active duty or is otherwise related to it.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as Level II, resulting in a noncompensable evaluation. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.