Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in his left ear and a left foot disability, including pes planus and calluses. The issue of an initial compensable rating for calluses of the right foot remains pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the appellant's bilateral hearing loss disability, including its onset during or related to periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) related to service. The preponderance of evidence indicates these conditions are not linked to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability of the left ear for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination and missing audiogram records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD, coronary artery disease, and bilateral hearing loss, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 50 percent disabling as of March 14, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to missing in-service hospitalization records and VA treatment records, as well as clarification on private audiogram results.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military noise exposure during service, thus service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to deficiencies in the October 2011 VA examiner's opinion. The case is now being returned to obtain a new audiological opinion.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for major depression, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. These conditions are all found to have onset in service.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature, onset, and etiology of any back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, and a new examination is needed.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be related to service, as the evidence is in equipoise and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete opinions and need for further development, including a new VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has not been manifested by hearing acuity worse than Level II in either ear, and the criteria for a compensable schedular evaluation have not been met. However, his exceptional disability picture exhibits interference with employment comparable to that which would warrant a 10 percent evaluation considering the resultant functional impairment. Therefore, an initial compensable schedular evaluation is denied, but a 10 percent extraschedular rating is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a DRO hearing and because two of his claims may be affected by the earlier effective date claim.

The Board has remanded the case for consideration of additional evidence received since the May 2010 supplemental statement of the case. The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings are pending.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 50% rating, while the reduction of his hearing loss disability from 30% to 10% was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during service and persists to this day, granting service connection for tinnitus. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and right ankle disability are being remanded due to incomplete evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and dismissed the claim of entitlement to an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders.