Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as Level I in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board found that the evidence did not show manifestations of hearing loss worse than what was noted during the May 2011 and April 2016 VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure. The Board also finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed right ear hearing disability for VA purposes, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney disability, bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder and/or left shoulder disabilities, as well as his claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD from April 8, 2017. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's seizures did not manifest in service, within one year of service, and are otherwise unrelated to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for seizures was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, spastic quadriparesis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The claim for higher rating on his low back disability was granted but with limitations. No specially adapted housing or temporary total evaluation due to treatment were awarded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of left ear hearing loss and finds no evidence to support a link between his military service and this condition. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine disability prior to November 28, 2011. The Veteran's claim for increased rating was remanded but remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinion and a need for additional evidentiary development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeal regarding his claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining educational records and providing a supplemental opinion regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by no worse than auditory acuity level I in the left and right ear, resulting in a denial of a compensable initial rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss on an extraschedular basis and his TDIU rating were both denied. The Board found that the schedular criteria adequately reflected the Veteran's functional impairment due to his hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be etiologically related to his active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lay statements regarding the continuity of symptoms of tinnitus are credible. The evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether tinnitus had its onset during service and has continued since service, thus granting service connection for tinnitus.

Service connection for GERD is granted as secondary to the service-connected duodenal ulcer, effective from March 16, 2007. The Veteran's other claims are denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new medical opinion.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and finds that it is at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during military service. As such, service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to TDIU are also pending.