Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated as noncompensable prior to March 6, 2015, and 30 percent thereafter. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are more likely than not related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability and finds that the Veteran's current right ankle disorder is related to his in-service injury. The claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, IBS, GERD, prostatitis, hypertension, degenerative arthritis of right acromioclavicular joints, and triceps muscle injury are addressed on remand.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have hearing loss disability during service and denied his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of tinnitus was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been withdrawn. Effective dates of January 25, 2005 have been granted for his service connection claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, as evidenced by normal audiometric findings during service and no significant post-service onset of hearing problems.

The Veteran seeks effective dates prior to March 8, 2010 for increased ratings of hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus. The Board finds that no earlier effective dates are warranted.,There is no evidence showing an increase in disability within the year prior to the March 8, 2010 claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a broken nose, finding that his current conditions are more likely than not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left knee disability has been withdrawn. The Board has no further jurisdiction in this matter.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding his employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated at a 10 percent disability rating, as his pure tone thresholds do not meet the criteria for exceptional patterns of hearing impairment. The claim for an increased evaluation is denied.

The Veteran's rating for bilateral hearing loss was reduced from 50% to 30%, effective August 1, 2013. The Board found that the reduction was improper and restored the original 50% rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Travel Board hearing for the issue of entitlement to a compensable initial evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues are related and will be addressed after the hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as non-compensable, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a claim prior to June 18, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss resulted in a current initial rating of 20 percent for the period since October 23, 2014. The Board found that this rating is appropriate based on audiometric test results.

The Veteran does not have a left leg disability that is related to his military service or caused by a service-connected condition.,The Veteran does not have a neck disability that is related to his military service or caused by a service-connected condition.,The Veteran does not have right ear hearing loss that is related to his military service.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is diagnosed with PTSD that is attributed to military sexual trauma experienced during service. Service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for tinnitus, secondary to left ear hearing loss, is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hearing loss have been denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.