Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not caused by in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted. However, the Board found insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's low back disability and his military service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary due to the inadequacy of the January 2013 VA examination, which did not consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding noise exposure and his MOS.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a new VA examination and updated treatment records. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left ear hearing loss is on hold until these steps are completed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims for higher initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and right elbow disability are remanded for additional VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after service, and there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The VA examiners have provided opinions concluding that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are more likely due to presbycusis (age-related hearing loss) rather than noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied the reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no new and material evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum available rating under VA regulations. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service acoustic trauma, and therefore service connection is granted for these conditions. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for service connection for fatigue (undiagnosed) due to Persian Gulf War service was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss has been granted, with a current rating of 10 percent. The Board also found that the Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has restored the Veteran's original 60 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the reduction from 20 to 60 percent was not proper due to lack of actual improvement and failure to comply with regulatory requirements.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for thyroiditis and tinnitus, but his bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted. The Veteran's sinusitis claim requires additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment for the period prior to December 17, 2012.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 20 percent since September 16, 2015. The evidence does not support a higher rating for any period.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss was denied. The earlier effective date claim for the grant of service connection for myocardial infarction (heart disease) is pending and needs to be addressed in a Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is incurred in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable prior to October 16, 2017, and a 10 percent rating thereafter. The Veteran's coronary artery disease did not meet the criteria for any higher ratings.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were found to be unrelated to his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss began during his active service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to acoustic trauma sustained during his military service and grants the claim for service connection.