Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the hearing loss and low back disorder claims are remanded due to need for additional development.

The Veteran's hearing loss was manifested by puretone thresholds, averaged over the frequencies of 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hertz (Hz), of no higher than 26 decibels (dB) for the right ear and no higher than 32 dB for the left ear; the Veteran's speech recognition scores were no lower than 92 percent for each ear. The criteria for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development as the April 2011 VA examination report is inadequate and does not provide specific audiologic findings. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining any additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,The Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder has not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to his period of active service and granted service connection for this condition. The decision on bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was addressed in a separate remand.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining an opinion regarding his bilateral hearing loss and issuing a Supplemental Statement of the Case for the remaining issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss underwent an increase in severity during service, and thus the presumption of aggravation applies. The VA examiner found it difficult to attribute the current hearing impairment solely to military noise exposure but did not provide clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut this presumption.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims of service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to have started during his active service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to determine if service-connected back and hearing loss disabilities contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a back condition, a right shoulder disability, and a cervical disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Board found that there was no in-service event or injury related to these disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded as the claims file needs to be updated with new information, including a more thorough educational and employment history. A VA examination will also be scheduled to assess the current severity of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is REMANDED. The issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded as well.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to inadequate VA examinations in determining entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss and back condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board finds that his disability does not meet requirements for a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his TDIU prior to August 19, 2010, was also denied. The appeal is based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.