Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to hazardous noise and acoustic trauma in service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hearing loss is being remanded for additional development as the VA examiner found that it was not caused by his service, citing to the fact that his separation examination audiogram was within normal limits. The Veteran contends that he was exposed to hazardous noise in service and presented literature supporting this claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities, and therefore entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a respiratory condition (claimed as asthma) are all granted. The Veteran has current diagnoses of these conditions and there is sufficient evidence to establish a link between each condition and his active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, stomach disorder, and bilateral ankle disorder have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of chronic disabilities in service or at separation that could be linked to current conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board finds that there is at least equipoise of probative evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, or ischemic heart disease as these conditions are not related to his military service. The claims have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were at least as likely as not caused by in-service, acoustic trauma. The left shoulder condition, neck condition, and OSA are all granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his hearing impairment is currently rated at Level II in each ear, which corresponds to noncompensable disability under VA Rating Schedule.

The VA has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disability evaluations combine to an overall 60 percent rating under the Combined Ratings Table for the appellate period of September 2010 to February 2016.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as the evidence shows these conditions were incurred during his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disability was denied.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss were both denied. The Veteran did not have a preexisting tinnitus, but the Board found that service connection could be established based on continuity of symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. For his left knee disorder, the VA examiner opined that it is less likely than not related to service.

The Board found that the appellant's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has not resulted in a compensable rating since its initial award, as his hearing impairment did not meet or exceed the criteria for any higher evaluation under VA's rating schedule. The appeal was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA audiological examination and review of his claims file.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was not shown to be related to his period of service and is presumed to have occurred many years after separation from service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a skin disability. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a current disability as defined by VA regulations, thus denying service connection for this condition. For left ear hearing loss, the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran has a current disability.