Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been characterized by Level I hearing impairment in both ears, warranting a noncompensable disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection. The hearing loss issue was remanded as there were insufficient medical opinions regarding its etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied as there was no evidence of a claim within one year of separation from service or until the date he submitted his requests to reopen his claims. The Board found that March 10, 2000, is the earliest possible effective date for hearing loss benefits, and September 7, 2000, is the earliest possible effective date for tinnitus benefits.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities for the period from July 15, 2008 to December 17, 2008.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of a chronic disease in service or continuous symptoms after service. The VA examiner stated that the Veteran's hearing was normal during his period of service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and his claims have been dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unemployable for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the initial compensable rating prior to May 2, 2012, and in excess of 10 percent from May 2, 2012, for prostate cancer. The issue of an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability or tinnitus for VA purposes, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore denies his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to noise exposure during his military service, including in Vietnam. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and a neck disability have all been denied. The VA examiner found no evidence of current ischemic heart disease or any other claimed conditions related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional evidence. The claim will be reconsidered based on all available information.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have originated in service due to acoustic trauma, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, and he was granted a higher disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and records in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.