Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 5, 2013 was denied as his audiometric testing did not show exceptional or unusual hearing impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's schedular guidelines.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, pterygium, and refractive eye error. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to in-service noise exposure or service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran was found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities for the period from April 12, 2006 to May 4, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was incurred in active service, resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a bilateral shoulder disorder, as well as his claim for an increased rating for PTSD. The Veteran is not entitled to these benefits based on the evidence of record.

The Board found no evidence of a causal relationship between the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and his active duty service, as there was no in-service noise exposure documented. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a more clearly explained analysis regarding in-service noise exposure and the progression of his hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including new VA examinations to address hearing loss and tinnitus in relation to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found no current hearing loss disability, and the Veteran does not have a compensable evaluation for his lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc disease.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his pure tone thresholds did not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation. The issue of service connection for spinal stenosis is addressed in the REMAND portion and will be considered separately.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of November 27, 2002. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to a compensable rating (10%) for PTSD prior to October 1, 2007.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus are all granted.

The Board denied service connection for a dental disorder and hearing loss in the left ear, finding that there was no increase in severity during service.,Service connection is not granted as the Veteran's pre-existing hearing impairment did not worsen during her period of active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin during or as a result of his active service, and therefore denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss is denied, while his claim for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. This includes obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination if necessary, and considering all relevant evidence in rendering an opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The Veteran will be provided a new VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and finds no evidence of tinnitus being incurred in service. Therefore, both claims are denied.