Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not warrant a compensable rating prior to March 21, 2007.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and finds that it is related to his active military service. The veteran now has a current diagnosis of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, which meets VA criteria for impaired hearing.

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

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was incurred during service. The case is therefore being remanded for additional examination and opinion.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at Level II, resulting in a compensable rating. The RO denied an increased rating for his service-connected tinnitus as it already meets the maximum schedular evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is manifested by an average pure tone decibel loss of 63 in the right ear and 66 in the left ear, with speech recognition scores of 92% and 88%, respectively. The VA audiometric examination revealed Level II hearing impairment for the right ear and Level III for the left ear, but considering the exceptional pattern of hearing loss for the left ear under Table VIA, it was rated as Level VI. Therefore, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss has not been met.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is due to acoustic trauma experienced during his period of service between January 1981 and December 18, 1988. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a hearing loss disability of the right ear as defined by VA regulations and therefore, service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, which represents a complete grant of the benefit sought on appeal.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are necessary to determine the current severity of the veteran's service-connected conditions and whether they are related to his military service. The veteran's claims for increased ratings for sarcoidosis and hypertension, as well as his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the case to consider whether an extraschedular rating is warranted for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, due to uncertainty about what constitutes 'marked interference with employment'.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's claims for increased rating for hearing loss, service connection for loss of smell, and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for chemical asthma disorder are also being addressed.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and low back strain, as well as compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for nerve damage and numbness to the face, ear and head, have been withdrawn.

The veteran is not shown to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service connected disabilities, and the Board finds that his inability to work is due to nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss, and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hearing loss in either ear as defined by VA standards, and therefore service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's otitis media status post perforated left ear drum, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's hepatitis A claim was denied. Service connection for left ear hearing loss and varicosities of the left lower extremity were granted, with initial compensable ratings established from May 1, 2003 to June 24, 2005.

The veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim is considered 'mixed' as some issues were granted while others were not.