Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is found to be aggravated by her service-connected PTSD. The claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current disability of bilateral hearing loss, and the criteria for a higher rating for thoracolumbar spine strain, cervical strain, left wrist strain, and hemorrhoids were not met.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating as his symptoms are fully addressed by the current rating.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability meeting the VA criteria for hearing loss in either ear, and thus denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's left arm and left leg disabilities are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records that need to be obtained and reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to May 8, 2008 was denied as the evidence did not establish that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have its onset in service and granted service connection. The right hand and left ankle disabilities are not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are caused or aggravated by his active duty for training, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension and bilateral hearing loss have been rated as noncompensable throughout the rating period on appeal. The medical evidence does not support a compensable disability rating for either condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the case can be finally adjudicated. Specifically, a VA medical opinion is required to address the Veteran's contentions regarding his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to September 27, 2016 and 30 percent since. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and private treatment records from his doctors. A VA examination will also be scheduled to assess the impact of his service-connected conditions on his ability to work.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss disability and colon cancer, finding new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for right ear hearing loss disability but denied for glaucoma.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is considered to be at least as likely the result of noise exposure during his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not caused by service exposure to noise, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise, giving the Veteran the benefit of the doubt and finding in favor of service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an examination, as the current evidence is insufficient to determine if the Veteran's bilateral ear disability, including hearing loss, is related to his military service.