Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence did not establish a nexus to service, with continuity of symptoms found lacking.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's exposure to noise during service and persistence of symptoms since separation meet the criteria for these conditions.

The Veteran's back disability is granted a 40% rating since May 24, 2006. A separate 10% rating for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities is also granted. The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 10% rating. Bilateral hearing loss does not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with the average puretone threshold at each of the specified frequencies being between 40 and 44 decibels in both ears. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to military noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is not related to his military service. The Board also granted service connection for tinnitus, concluding that it began during service and has persisted.,Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing onset or continuity of symptomatology in service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The examiner will need to consider the Veteran's exposure to noise during active duty, as well as any post-service noise exposure.

An initial rating of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was granted from March 27, 2017 until October 5, 2017. Since October 5, 2017, a higher rating of 30 percent has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for updated VA audiological examination and authorization of private audiologist records.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's representative argues that his hearing acuity has worsened since his September 2014 VA examination, and there is a need for a new examination to determine if he meets the regulatory requirements for a bilateral hearing loss disability. For tinnitus, the issues are intertwined with the service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's 20% rating for bilateral hearing loss was restored effective June 1, 2014. A higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated at 50 percent prior to June 26, 2017 and at 70 percent from June 26, 2017 to February 19, 2018. The TDIU claim has been remanded.,The Veteran's asbestos-related pleural disease is rated at 80 percent since February 20, 2018. The service connection for this condition remains in dispute and has also been remanded.

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied, as his disability level did not warrant a higher than 60 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran was exposed to noise during service and his current symptoms are related to this exposure. Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to excessive noise during service, which likely caused his current hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of duodenal ulcer, PTSD, and TDIU are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The claim for liver condition including hepatitis C is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at zero percent, as the average puretone threshold in both ears does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected. The right ear condition, throat condition, mouth condition, jaw condition, biting condition, balance condition, and dental conditions are remanded for further development.