Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not caused by in-service noise exposure, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain VA examinations for the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and right toe injury claims. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability. The VA examiner found that without accurate audiometric data at enlistment or separation, it cannot be determined if the current hearing loss disability is due to service. The Board finds this opinion inadequate and requires a supplemental opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not attributable to his active military service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a psychiatric disorder, and a stomach condition. The decision also noted that the Veteran's claim for secondary service connection was denied as a matter of law due to his denial of service connection for the underlying psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating, and thus denied his claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the Veteran, through his authorized representative.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, but denied the initial rating claim for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's case is remanded to obtain a new VA examination and assign an appropriate rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are pending.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal in December 2017.

The Board has vacated the previous decision and remanded the cases for further review due to new evidence submitted after the last SSOC.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and Eustachian tube dysfunction. The rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted at 50% from April 15, 2010 to August 13, 2015, and at 40% thereafter. The rating for Eustachian tube dysfunction remains at 0%.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to provide the Veteran with a new VA examination and opinion regarding his bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, as the current evidence is insufficient for an informed decision.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, was caused by active service. The evidence of record does not support a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of left ear hearing loss or a left ankle disability, and therefore service connection cannot be granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's right elbow disorder appeal was withdrawn.,Service connection for hearing loss and low back disorders is not warranted as the evidence does not show a current disability or link to service.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted as there is no doubt that it began during service and is related to noise exposure in service.,The Veteran's right and left knee disorders are not service-connected as there is no probative evidence of a chronic disorder since service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current hearing disorder is at least as likely related to noise exposure during his service in Vietnam, leading to a grant of service connection.

The Board granted service connection for the appellant's right knee disability and assigned an initial rating of 20 percent effective September 9, 2010. The cervical spine disability was also granted with a separate initial rating of 10 percent effective September 9, 2010. The TDIU claim is still pending.