Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been evaluated as Level III, resulting in a zero percent disability rating. The evidence does not support a compensable evaluation for the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current level of disability does not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under VA's Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment consistent with his education, training, and work experience.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with the exception of the validity of the audiogram results in November 2012. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred during service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating based on the audiometric results provided. The Board finds that his disability picture is not exceptional or unusual, and application of the schedular criteria is sufficient.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20 percent effective June 16, 2014, based on the findings from his June 2014 and June 2015 VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen his claims. The VA examinations did not show a current disability at the time of the examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral eye disability (presumed due to herbicide exposure), and PTSD were denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current carpal tunnel syndrome related to service, and denied his claim for hearing loss. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 40% effective August 9, 2014. Prior to this date, the disability was not compensable and from May 2, 2011 to August 8, 2014, a rating in excess of 10% was not warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there was no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service. The preexisting right ear hearing loss disability is also not considered aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, including verification of his reserve service and any periods of active duty. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran experienced acoustic trauma in service and has current diagnoses of these conditions. The Board also found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a nexus between the current disability and active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The initial rating for PTSD remains at 50 percent, and the TDIU claim prior to July 23, 2014 is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not causally or etiologically related to his in-service noise exposure and did not manifest within one year of discharge from service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, as well as to obtain any SSA records. The case will be remanded for these actions.