Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and heart disability, including hypertension and ischemic heart disease, are service-connected. The decision grants these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss. The examiner should consider the Veteran's reports of having hearing loss since service, as well as the results of the audiograms on file.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right hip disability that is etiologically related to his military service. The claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a present disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for his left knee disability is dismissed due to the absence of a controversy. Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.

The Veteran's initial rating for left ear hearing loss was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. The right wrist disability issues, including nerve damage, are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his service, including exposure to noise during active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent since June 27, 2007. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current level of disability.

The Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore, his claim of service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss, finding that the applicable rating criteria reasonably described his disability level and symptomatology.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in the January 1971 rating decision denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as the RO failed to properly apply the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.306(a) and (b).

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand instructions and a need for further development of medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent at any point during the appeal period.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and thus denied his claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of PTSD with alcohol dependence was also addressed but no specific rating was assigned as it pertains to a different service connection theory.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is granted, but his left ear hearing loss disability is not found to be incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.