Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a noncompensable evaluation prior to January 28, 2010 and a 30 percent evaluation as of January 28, 2010.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to consider the combined effects of the appellant's service-connected disabilities on his employability, as well as to obtain additional relevant VA medical records and conduct a VA social and industrial survey.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to July 27, 2009 and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, with the benefit of doubt given in his favor.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Board finds that the reduction of the Veteran's 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss to a noncompensable (0 percent) rating was proper, as his condition improved under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has not improved to a level that warrants an increased disability rating, and the current noncompensable rating remains appropriate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to inadequate examination and failure to provide proper VCAA notice.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened and granted. Service connection is also established for left shoulder arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, headaches, PTSD with cognitive disorder, and TBI. The Veteran's hearing loss and hypertension are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate nexus opinions regarding the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by hearing impairment during the entire appeal period no worse than Level I in his right ear and Level I in his left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from June 5, 2006, but not before. He also meets the criteria for a TDIU from January 1, 2009, following a temporary total rating period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiology examination and obtaining updated treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and requesting SSA disability benefits records. The issues of service connection for hearing loss, brain injury, and sleep apnea will be addressed in a new examination.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn all issues from appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as these conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus based on the presumption of service connection due to continuous symptoms since service separation.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for a DRO hearing. The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, heart disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as the current disability ratings of 10% are considered adequate based on the severity of his conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service. The current VA opinion was inadequate as it did not consider the Veteran's February 1967 separation audiometric results, which indicated some degree of hearing loss at 3000 Hertz.