Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is at least as likely as not caused by his military service. The claim for a back disability remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral knee condition is not service connected as it was not incurred or aggravated during active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA. The claims for hearing loss disability and tinnitus are remanded due to insufficient evidence on record.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions did not increase in severity during service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 17, 2008, and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on the VA audiometric results provided.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as evaluated by VA audiometric examinations in 2007 and 2011, did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the rating schedule. The Board found that his hearing impairment was not severe enough to warrant an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's hearing loss was rated as noncompensably disabling prior to January 4, 2011. Since then, the rating has been increased to 30 percent effective February 3, 2009.,Since December 22, 2011, the Veteran's hearing loss has been rated at 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his active service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The VA determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not have its onset during service and is not related to military noise exposure. The claim for service connection was denied.

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

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. It is found that these conditions are attributable to service, specifically noise exposure during military service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and an increased evaluation for tinnitus were denied. The claim for a compensable evaluation for hearing loss is not ready for appellate disposition due to incomplete records.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a back disorder and denied his claim for service connection. The hearing loss issue is remanded.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, effective from the date of the decision. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule him for VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, left knee degenerative joint disease, and associated instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during active duty service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred therein. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board determined that the reduction of the rating for the appellant's service-connected bilateral hearing loss from 20 percent to 10 percent, effective March 20, 2012, was not proper and restored the original 20 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of hypertension, sleep apnea, and a neck disability. The claim for hearing loss was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from November 21, 2003, but his TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claim for service connection for a pars fracture of the lumbar spine is remanded for further development.