Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA rating purposes and therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible level (70%) and his TDIU claim is granted, while his hearing loss remains at a 10% rating.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for the service-connected left ear hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence did not warrant such a rating.

The Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities for the periods from September 8, 2003 through May 31, 2006, and from March 1, 2009 through July 31, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable since June 1, 2008. The VA audiological examinations have consistently shown that the Veteran's hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, lipomas, right hip disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and right hand/wrist disorder. These claims are now considered on their merits.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions, including a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depression, low back disability, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, hip disability, muscle spasms, gout, sleep disorder, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability involving depression or PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and clarifying opinions from the April 2010 VA audiologist regarding the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the initial rating for the service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability can be decided on the merits.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated at a 20 percent rating since May 12, 2010. From August 18, 2010, the audiometric evaluations reflect that his right ear exhibits Level VII hearing acuity and left ear exhibits Level IV hearing acuity, which corresponds to a 20 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and further development is needed before service connection for bilateral hearing loss can be properly adjudicated.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as his hearing acuity is only at Level II in the right ear and Level IV in the left ear. The claim was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus should be remanded to allow for further development of evidence, including a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not arise during service or due to in-service acoustic trauma, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further action by the originating agency, including scheduling a hearing before the Board at the RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is as likely due to or associated with his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.