Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable under VA regulations, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure. The issue of service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and his PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent.,The Veteran seeks increased ratings for both conditions. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.,The effective date of service connection for PTSD remains October 31, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has not resulted in a compensable disability rating, as the most recent evaluations have shown no worse than Level II hearing in both ears.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is service-connected with several conditions, including DDD of the lumbosacral spine. The care provided on September 10, 2011, was for an adjudicated service-connected disability and in a medical emergency where delay would have been hazardous to life or health. VA facilities were not feasibly available at the time.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior directives and a need for further evidentiary development, including an examination by a VA audiologist.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for severance of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and for service connection for left ear hearing loss. The claim to reopen a claim for service connection for tinnitus was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted, with a non-compensable (0%) disability rating effective July 27, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, arteriosclerotic heart disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity, are found to be sufficient to preclude him from engaging in gainful employment. As a result, TDIU is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his active service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his disability did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a video conference hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 70 percent disabling, but the evidence does not show total social and occupational impairment. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are inextricably intertwined with his PTSD, so both conditions must be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected tinea versicolor is rated at a noncompensable (0%) level. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for a back condition was remanded due to new medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, paranoid schizophrenia with psychosis, and arthritis was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss meeting VA compensation criteria.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure, and whether it was caused by a chronic condition that persisted after service. The case will be remanded for an addendum opinion.