Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case has been REMANDED due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability rating is denied for an increase in excess of 20 percent prior to May 4, 2015 and from March 19, 2016. A 50% rating was granted from May 4, 2015 to March 18, 2016.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disorder, and left shoulder disorder are service-connected. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the current examination report. The Veteran's noise exposure during service is considered, but a new VA medical opinion is needed to determine if his current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to this exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but denied service connection for a left rib fracture.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus in November 2013. The Veteran did not appeal this decision, making it final. New evidence submitted since then does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, colitis, tinnitus, and vertigo with dizziness, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating based on this finding.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss prior to April 25, 2015. From that date forward, the criteria have not been met for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure proper VCAA notice and compliance, before the claims for service connection can be decided.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus to his active service, including noise exposure. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus diagnoses are linked to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

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

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the issues on appeal, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, head injury, and nervous condition (including as secondary to head injury) due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating was granted, and he is currently rated at 30 percent for his bilateral hearing loss disability from September 9, 2015. The RO has increased the rating to 50 percent effective July 24, 2013, but not more than that.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was initially manifested during his military service and the Board has found that he is entitled to service connection for this condition. The issue of an initial compensable disability evaluation for right ear hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the criteria for a TDIU have not been met.