Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no increase in severity of preexisting right ear hearing loss during service and that current left ear hearing loss is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the disability rating for service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss from 10 percent to noncompensable effective July 1, 2009 was proper. The Veteran's current hearing impairment does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding PTSD, major depressive disorder with anxious distress, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeal for reinstating apportionment of the Veteran's benefits to his dependent mother was dismissed as he is not a proper claimant.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his military noise exposure. The criteria for service connection have been met, and the claim is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his active service. The claim for ischemic heart disease (IHD) is remanded due to lack of a definitive diagnosis.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, eye disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these disabilities are related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and his death, as well as whether there was a contributory cause of death due to his service-connected conditions. The DIC claim may be inextricably intertwined with the outcome of the cause of death claim.

The Veteran died from colon cancer, which was not service-connected or related to any of his service-connected conditions. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip disorder, left ear hearing loss, and left knee disorder. The claim for PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 28, 2016 was denied as the audiometric data did not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent. The claim for a higher rating since June 28, 2016 was granted but at the same level (60 percent).

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and left ear hearing loss rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from October 22, 1975 through November 30, 1983.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for VA purposes related to his right ear hearing loss, and thus service connection is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, finding that the earliest communication from the Veteran in the claims file indicating intent to apply for service connection was dated January 23, 2002.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hyperlipidemia, low back disability, tinnitus, hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a left thigh scar, have all been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the appellant's urinary incontinence, right testicular disability, left ear hearing loss, cervical spine arthritis, and traumatic brain injury were not incurred or caused by his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, inflammatory diverticulitis, and incisional hernia. The decision found that the Veteran did not have a current disability under VA criteria for hearing loss and that there was no evidence of a change in hearing during service. For the other conditions, the Board noted that there were no opinions provided regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted based on the presumption of service connection due to exposure to loud noise during service. The claim for PTSD remains pending and will be remanded for further development.