Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board denied an extraschedular rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the current non-compensable evaluation adequately addresses the severity and symptoms of the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including obtaining VA treatment records, determining service connection based on exposure in inland waters, and providing medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of each condition.

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with no evidence of exceptional factors such as frequent hospitalization or marked interference with employment.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and heart disability due to further development being necessary.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to warrant a 10 percent rating on an extraschedular basis prior to December 15, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period. The Board finds that his current level of impairment does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is denied as he does not meet the criteria due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable (at least 10 percent) rating under VA regulations, and thus could not be considered as a chronic disability warranting presumptive service connection. The claim was denied because there was no link between the current disability and service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected left knee disability, including claims for back, hip, and knee disabilities. The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right eye condition due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is incurred during service and grants service connection for this condition.,There is no evidence of a diagnosed left-sided abdominal or hip pain disability in service, and the Veteran has not provided sufficient credible evidence to establish continuity of symptomatology. Therefore, service connection for this issue is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge (VLJ). The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating for various conditions are pending.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for tinnitus, but not for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during service, including his time in Vietnam. As a result, the claims for service connection for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service noise exposure.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and determined that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service and granted service connection for it. The issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability remains pending and will be remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1114(r)(1) and/or � 1114(r)(2) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records from University Hospital and VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, as well as arranging for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of an inner head injury with a 10 percent rating effective August 21, 2001. The Veteran's claim is also granted for an earlier effective date.