Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are found to be at least as likely as not incurred in service, with the Board resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has determined that the appellant currently has tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, both of which were incurred during his active military service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right foot Achilles tendonitis are related to his service. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions were caused or aggravated by noise exposure during service for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and by injuries sustained while running in combat boots for right foot Achilles tendonitis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for right ear hearing loss as no new and material evidence was received since the July 2006 rating decision.

The Board found no evidence of a current hearing loss disability in service or within one year after discharge, and the Veteran's lay assertions were not competent to establish a nexus between his current bilateral hearing loss and military noise exposure. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to loud noises during combat in Vietnam. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA audiology examination and additional development of his hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for a DRO hearing due to the failure of the RO to provide the requested hearing.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss prior to July 15, 2015 was rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the level of hearing impairment did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's service in the Nebraska Army National Guard and obtain any available service personnel and treatment records. The Veteran should also be afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple issues has been granted, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board also found that the Veteran's back disability is related to his in-service examination, and his right and left knee disabilities are secondary to his back disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the appellant's periods of Federalized service and obtain medical records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not rated compensably prior to August 15, 2015 and his bilateral hearing loss has not been rated in excess of 30 percent since that date.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA's Rating Schedule.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for tinnitus and hearing loss, finding that the current schedular ratings adequately describe his disability level. The claim for TDIU is also denied as it is inextricably intertwined with the hearing loss and tinnitus claims.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is currently rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the initial grant of service connection in December 2014.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service, with the Board finding that these conditions were incurred in service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as opinions based solely on the absence of in-service treatment records are inadequate. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and an addendum opinion to address the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (low back, knees, hearing loss, and PTSD) preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.