Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to August 24, 2006. The combined service-connected disability rating was only 60 percent prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss of the right ear is a result of in-service acoustic trauma and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating. The Board found that the available schedular evaluation for the disability is adequate and no extraschedular referral was warranted.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the impact of his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus on his employability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and degenerative disc disease (DDD), herniated discs L5-S1, status post L4, L5, L5-S1 anterior discectomy and vertebral body fusion, acquired spinal stenosis, and intervertebral disc disease. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for reopening his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the appeal process.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, as well as for disc herniation secondary to his right total knee replacement. The claim for initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and to provide her with a VA examination. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability. The evidence did not show a current disability in any of these conditions for VA purposes or that they were incurred during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely due to noise exposure during his military service, including while serving in the Navy and National Guard. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to have been caused by his in-service noise exposure, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 10 percent, the lowest available rating under VA's rating schedule. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung condition and bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claim of lung condition and that his current hearing loss was not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident in service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable (0%) throughout the pendency of this claim, based on his audiometric test results.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, with the right ear hearing loss being considered aggravated by service and left ear hearing loss not noted at entry into service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his Vocational Rehabilitation and Education folder and clarifying the June 2014 audiogram. The TDIU claim will be readjudicated after all necessary actions are completed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's increased rating claim for further development due to missing VA audiological evaluation records and other pertinent documents.