Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and a superficial scalp wound scar were denied. The Veteran was assigned a 30% rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss effective December 18, 2010.

The Veteran's combined rating is 60 percent, which does not meet the percentage standards for a TDIU rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). The Board finds that an extraschedular total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits information. The Veteran's hearing impairment and tinnitus are to be evaluated by a VA examiner.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension (secondary to PTSD), a bilateral foot disorder, and a left shoulder disorder. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased (compensable) rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current level of hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation guidelines.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as well as a request to reopen his claim for PTSD. The decision on the PTSD issue is mixed, with some issues granted and others not.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are reasonably shown to have had their onset in service, and the Board finds that these conditions are related to his military noise exposure. Therefore, service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA audiological evaluation to determine the likely etiology of the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus, taking into account his noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his current level of hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which are believed to be related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and scars from gunshot wound are denied as his conditions do not warrant the higher evaluations sought.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and headaches are related to his period of active military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to acoustic trauma sustained during his active duty training in the Army National Guard, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new information received from Social Security Administration (SSA) regarding the Veteran's SSI benefits. The VA must secure any relevant SSA records and re-adjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial evaluation of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has been withdrawn. The RO granted an evaluation of 50 percent effective February 18, 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, specifically due to acoustic trauma incurred during active duty. The evidence did not show a continuity of symptoms or a disease manifesting within one year post-service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and PTSD, and assigned a 50% evaluation for PTSD. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as his puretone thresholds were within the range for Level II and Level III hearing impairment, respectively. The functional effects of his disability on employment and daily activities have been adequately addressed by other evidence.