Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability did not meet the criteria for service connection as it was not shown to be related to his military service, including on a delayed or latent onset theory of causation.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability had onset during his active service and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from April 29, 2014. The current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability as it considers functional impairment due to background noise and environmental factors.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to initial increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, to include on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss, and he is not entitled to TDIU prior to November 14, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his audiometric test results do not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and did not find that the earliest available effective date was March 14, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss. The Veteran is required to undergo a new examination and if unreachable, documentation of all attempts made.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under VA's schedular guidelines.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus has been granted with a 10% evaluation, and he is also entitled to separate evaluations of 10% each for his inguinal hernia and the scar from his inguinal hernia surgery. The Veteran's service connection claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae (scarring) has been granted with a 30% evaluation based on disfigurement of the face and head.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to incomplete records and need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral wrist, knee, and ankle disabilities were incurred in service. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was caused by service. Tinnitus was also found to be incurred in service. Service connection for lumbar spondylosis and left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and right ear hearing loss are service-connected, but left ear hearing loss is not. The Veteran will be provided with a supplemental statement of the case if his claim for left ear hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining service personnel records, Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records, and a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the maximum available rating of 50 percent since February 24, 2010. The evaluations for peripheral neuropathy and bilateral hearing loss have not met the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability did not manifest during service, within one year of discharge from service, or is otherwise related to his military service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss has been granted, but the appeal is dismissed as there remains no case in controversy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service, including due to noise exposure during service. The condition did not manifest within a year of discharge and there is no evidence of hearing loss at separation from service.