Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not shown to be of such a nature or severity to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment prior to April 29, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. He was initially granted a noncompensable rating, and later received a 30 percent rating from August 29, 1997 to December 10, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has not been shown to warrant a rating in excess of the currently assigned 10 percent, as his hearing impairment does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as his current evaluations of 10 percent do not accurately reflect the severity of his disability.

The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for readjudication, including consideration of a recent VA opinion. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are pending.

The Board found that the appellant does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss and denied his claim for service connection. The appeal regarding residuals of heat stroke is also pending.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of right ear hearing loss is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled VA examination. The case will be readjudicated after additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling an audiological evaluation.

The Veteran's increased ratings for post gastrostomy syndrome and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for left ear hearing loss remains unchanged, and the claim for an extra-schedular rating is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability prevents him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis remains pending.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability, and his personality disorder is not considered a disease or injury under VA law.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not caused by noise exposure during service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, schedule a VA examination, and readjudicate the TDIU claim. The issues of service connection for depression and increased evaluations for right ankle and bilateral knee disabilities are also being addressed.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his service, specifically the artillery fire operations he was involved in. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, and grants service connection for this condition. However, there is no evidence of left ear hearing loss meeting VA criteria for a disability during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a respiratory condition were denied. The Board found no link between the current disabilities and service. The claim for residuals of a broken nose was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, and both conditions are now granted as they are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to an issue with the hearing notification. The Board will attempt to schedule a videoconference hearing at the appropriate location.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not related to disease or injury in active service.

The Board found that the reduction from 40 percent to noncompensable for bilateral hearing loss was proper, effective August 1, 2010. The Veteran's condition has remained stable with no material improvement.