Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his noise exposure during military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and depressive disorder NOS are found to be related to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service, including any in-service noise exposure as a mechanic. The AOJ should also obtain and consider all relevant private treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was evaluated as noncompensable (0%) throughout the appeal period based on his audiometric test results. The Board found that these results did not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been granted, and he is now service-connected for this condition. The hearing loss claim remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder, but denied service connection for hearing loss of the right ear and right shoulder disorder. The claim for reopening the right shoulder disorder was also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied service connection for this condition. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was rated as Level I, which is noncompensable under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to be related to service, and his right shoulder disability does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that it is related to his period of active duty at the DMZ in Korea. The claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew them prior to a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and are not related to active service. The claim for service connection is denied.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions and determine if there has been any worsening since the last examinations. The claims will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Board has decided that the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus need further development due to incomplete medical records and insufficient reasoning in previous opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was evaluated as noncompensable prior to March 7, 2017; rated at 10 percent from March 7, 2017, to June 7, 2017; and rated at 30 percent beginning June 8, 2017. The criteria for a higher rating were not met during any of these periods.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was reopened and granted with a 70% rating. His PTSD also warrants a 70% rating, and he is now eligible for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.,PTSD has rendered the Veteran unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting both an increased rating and eligibility for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, headaches, and a right leg disorder are all pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining the Veteran's enlistment examination report from his second period of service and any outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during service, resolving all doubt in his favor. The claim for headaches is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.