Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not individually or collectively preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his service-connected tinnitus. As a result, and resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, the Board grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder osteoarthritis is service-connected, as it was incurred during his active duty. However, the claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10% disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not show that it was factually ascertainable that his service-connected bilateral hearing loss increased in severity during the one-year period preceding receipt of his April 6, 2012 claim.

The claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted, and the Veteran is assigned a 10% rating. The effective date of this grant is June 26, 2013. Other claims are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was incurred during active duty service or shown to a compensable degree within one year following separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, COPD, obstructive sleep apnea, and frostbite residuals require additional development due to outstanding VA and private treatment records. The Veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's hearing loss and cervical spine degenerative disc disease have not been found to be compensably disabling, resulting in a denial of the claims.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and granted a higher rating of 30 percent for GERD. The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, tinnitus at 10 percent, and bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with the point of equipoise in favor of granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and headaches. The VA will also review the claims based on the new examination results.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing impairment is related to his in-service acoustic trauma. The claim for hepatitis A was not reopened as new and material evidence did not meet the criteria.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right foot disability. The case will be remanded to obtain additional medical records, conduct VA examinations, and readjudicate the issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and thus his claims are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and ichthyosis. The Board found that the conditions pre-existed service and did not undergo an increase in severity during service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. Service connection for prostate cancer as a result of exposure to herbicides is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus. The issue of bilateral hearing loss will be remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and records, including verification of service dates, medical records from SSA, and any relevant Army Reserve unit records.

The Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability was not manifest in service or to a degree of 10 percent within one year of separation and is unrelated to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to military noise exposure and granted service connection for it. However, the Board found no evidence of hearing loss meeting VA criteria.