Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person, nor has he been shown to be housebound. Therefore, the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance are not met.

The Veteran's hearing loss is evaluated at a 30% rating, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available for bilateral hearing loss. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability level and symptomatology.

The Board has determined that a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is not warranted based on the audiometric findings provided in the VA examinations conducted during the evaluation period. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was rated as Level II, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Code 6100.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his military service, including as due to an in-service air gun inoculation. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are REMANDED.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have current right ear hearing loss for VA compensation purposes and his left ear hearing loss was not aggravated by service. Therefore, the claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing right ear hearing loss did not undergo a permanent worsening during service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both granted. Bilateral hearing loss is not connected to service, but tinnitus is considered incurred in service.

The Veteran does not have a right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The claims are being remanded to allow for additional examinations and consideration of all evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not have its onset during service or due to an in-service injury, and thus denied his claim for service connection. The left ear hearing loss was rated as Level VI from June 2011 forward.

The Board finds that the evidence does not establish a present hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes, and therefore service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and a contemporaneous VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial evaluation of hearing loss, as well as his claim for tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his active duty service, granting the claims for these conditions.

The appeal is being remanded due to the inextricability of the TDIU claim with other service connection claims. The Veteran's TDIU claim will be adjudicated after a decision on his service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and severe joint pain have been withdrawn. The appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and TDIU prior to February 10, 2016 is being deferred until further development on the PTSD issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to her active duty service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.