Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable throughout the period under consideration, and a TDIU rating is granted.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, back and neck conditions. The Board grants the TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and bilateral hearing loss have been reopened. However, the Board finds that new evidence does not establish a link between the current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is likely the result of his active service, and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service exposure to loud noise from gunfire during military police training.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for left ear sensorineural hearing loss and service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that an additional VA examination is needed to evaluate the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, as the current conditions are not causally related to military service. The Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were deemed inconsistent with other medical records.

The Veteran's POA withdrew the appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a more contemporaneous examination.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left ear hearing loss and septal rhinoplasty were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran was granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but the appeal regarding Parkinson's disease is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, with the evidence being in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions were caused by noise exposure during service. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran was exposed to noise during service and testified about specific instances of acoustic trauma. He also reported having ringing in his ears at discharge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his in-service noise exposure and does not meet the threshold requirements for a disability as defined by VA regulations. As such, service connection for this condition cannot be established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his active service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

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

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss disability and tinnitus, but granted service connection for residuals of a laceration to the right fifth finger. The low back issue is not established.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and audiometric test results. The claim will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to service or any in-service injury. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.