Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's tinnitus is being remanded for a supplemental VA medical opinion to determine if it was caused or worsened by his service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen his left shoulder disability claim. The Veteran's hearing loss and knee disabilities were also denied. His right shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent, and his skin and wrist conditions did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental disability and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities or association with service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is now entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss as it is at least as likely as not a result of noise exposure during his period of active duty training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be at levels I and IV, resulting in a non-compensable evaluation. The claim for an initial compensable rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is a result of in-service acoustic trauma and had its onset during service. Therefore, the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his service, as he experienced symptoms during service and has a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to incomplete service records, lack of in-service treatment records reflecting findings pertinent to auditory acuity, and the need for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment, as he is able to perform sedentary work despite his hearing loss and other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and inadequate previous examination. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being reviewed for possible service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was manifested by an average puretone threshold of 35 decibels in the right ear and 39 decibels in the left ear, with speech recognition ability of 92 percent in the right ear and 88 percent in the left ear. The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability did not warrant a higher rating as it was currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for DM II, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or a nexus between the conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is considered to be incurred in his active military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection were denied. For bilateral hearing loss, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. For migraine headaches, the Veteran's period of service from May 25, 1982 to May 27, 1988 was dishonorable due to willful and persistent misconduct, thus preventing him from receiving VA benefits related to that period. Service connection for right and left knee disabilities were also denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but the case is remanded to determine if the Veteran also meets the criteria for a right ear hearing loss disability and whether any such disability is related to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have a current left shoulder disability or bilateral hearing loss at any time prior to his death, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be established.