Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted in a previous rating decision, making the issue moot and dismissed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the issues on appeal can be adjudicated, including obtaining SSA records and another VA medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate medical examination and the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded for further action.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have onset during active service or within one year of service discharge, and are not otherwise related to active service. Therefore, the claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's lay statements of in-service noise exposure are credible and that his current hearing loss is related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant increased ratings and denied his claims for service connection of a right eye condition. The evidence did not show a nexus between the in-service injury and current disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 11, 2014 for the grant of a TDIU. The decision concluded that the evidence did not support earlier effective dates due to lack of unemployability within one year prior to February 11, 2014.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it. The Veteran's tinnitus is also found to be related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been withdrawn, and the claim is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than December 5, 2015, for the awards of service connection for bilateral pes planus, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss were denied as his initial Intent to File form did not specify the general benefits he sought.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical examinations and opinions, as well as updated VA treatment records. The issues on appeal are related to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right ankle disability.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, and his claim for a higher rating for residuals of a fractured nose was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support reopening the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss or establishing service connection for either condition. For tinnitus, the Veteran's lay contentions were deemed insufficient to establish service connection as there is no current diagnosis and his denial of tinnitus during the appeal period. Regarding residuals of a fractured nose, the Board found that while noise exposure was conceded, there was no evidence linking any current symptoms to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent disability rating, effective October 28, 2010. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and irritable bowel syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss was denied as his degree of hearing loss did not meet the standards for a compensable evaluation at any point.