Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's applications to reopen his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, a back disorder, and peripheral neuropathy (left and right upper extremity) have been dismissed as he has withdrawn these appeals.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his military service. The Veteran's MOS as a weapons infantryman and his testimony regarding noise exposure in service are considered credible.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are necessary to properly assess the Veteran's claims for service connection and a higher rating for his hearing loss. The issues of right hand disability, left hand disability, and increased rating for bilateral hearing loss have been remanded.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service exposure to noise from weapons fire. Service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of hypertension or bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes, and thus service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss are not related to his active military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and the issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding his PTSD rating and effective date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his initial rating claims for lower back strain prior to June 4, 2014, lumbar radiculopathy in right lower extremity, and lumbar radiculopathy in left lower extremity. The appeal was based on the Veteran's service connection award but not on a direct service connection claim.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus meeting VA criteria, and there is no medical evidence establishing a nexus between his in-service noise exposure and his current disabilities. The preponderance of the evidence is against service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma (claimed as skin cancer) is found to be related to service and granted. The heart condition claim is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis. The Veteran's benign prostate hypertrophy (claimed as prostate condition) is not presumed to be caused by herbicide exposure, but the Board finds it more likely than not that it is related to service.

The Veteran's venous stasis ulcer was not manifested in service or for many years thereafter, and is not shown to be etiologically related to his service. Service connection for this condition is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted as it is reasonably shown to have had its onset in service and persisted since.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The diagnoses of these conditions are based on the Veteran's reported symptoms and medical evidence supporting their etiology.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied her claim. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has considered the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and his issue regarding VA recoupment of separation pay. The decision is mixed, with some issues granted (service connection) and others not (recoupment).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10% prior to October 3, 2016. From that date, the rating was increased to 20%. The increase is due to improved hearing levels in both ears.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had onset in service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as his current evaluation is based on the most recent VA examination which showed noncompensable levels for both ears.

The Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to in-service acoustic trauma, thus service connection is granted.