Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as his combined disability rating is only 60 percent, which does not meet the percentage requirement. The level of industrial impairment due to these disabilities is not severe enough to warrant extraschedular consideration or preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination as his current disability picture may have changed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it is a direct result of noise exposure in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, and denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations and consideration of his claims in light of recent Court decisions.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for chronic tinnitus, as the Veteran's hearing loss disability was not manifested during active service or at any time thereafter. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability did not meet VA criteria for a compensable disability.

The Board has determined that the grant of service connection for tinnitus was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, leading to its severance. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is addressed but no rating assigned as it is not a primary issue in this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of the record, including obtaining private treatment records and providing a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed disorders.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on his service-connected tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, PTSD, and lumbar spine disability claims has been denied. The maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent is assigned for each condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by his time in service, and therefore, service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, including obtaining service treatment records from his National Guard service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his left knee DJD was denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all, as it concerns the assignment of a prospective post-convalescence rating.

The Veteran does not have right ear hearing loss that is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess his hearing loss and scars, and re-adjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss has been manifested during the claims process by no worse than Level V hearing impairment in the left ear and non-service-connected hearing loss (Level I) in the right ear. The criteria for a compensable evaluation for hearing loss in the left ear have not been met.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently manifested by level I hearing acuity in both ears, and the criteria for a compensable evaluation are not met.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus are of such severity to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss disability and increased the rating for cystic acne (skin disability) to 60 percent effective August 11, 2009.