Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran's hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent from January 16, 2007, to May 23, 2008.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claim for a disability manifested by sleepwalking. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, as it did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence linking it to noise exposure. For the separate claim for sleepwalking, additional development is needed.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus was denied an increased rating on extraschedular basis, and his claim for TDIU was also denied as the combined disability rating did not meet the schedular requirements. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is rated at 10 percent, the minimum rating available under VA regulations. The Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee and left knee disabilities, chest pain, back disability, night sweats, a psychiatric condition (claimed as sleeping problems), cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, jaw pain, and hearing loss were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or associations with service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service loud noise exposure. Service connection for hepatitis C is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities, render him unable to engage in or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic bronchitis is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 6600. The noncompensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 16, 2011 and greater than a 10 percent rating beginning November 16, 2011 are also denied.,The Veteran's service-connected left ear tympanic membrane perforation is rated at noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 6211. The claim for service connection for right ear tympanic membrane perforation is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted as his current level of hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current disability related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be due to his active military service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability or tinnitus as defined by VA regulations, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has dismissed the issue of entitlement to service connection for PTSD as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and thus service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus to his in-service noise exposure, and the disabilities did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including an addendum opinion from a VA audiologist to clarify whether his preexisting hearing impairment increased in severity during service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss was denied as his current hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a clarifying medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current hearing loss.