Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss was incurred during her active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted service connection, but the status of his bilateral knee disability is unknown.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's schedular evaluation standards. The evidence of record is insufficient to determine whether the Veteran's hearing acuity can be objectively tested, and thus no schedular rating can be assigned.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be incurred in, or caused by, his military service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions and examinations are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, left hand disorder, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since the date of service connection. The VA examinations have shown that his worst scores were on September 2009 and February 2015, with a combination of Level IV hearing acuity in the right ear and Level II hearing acuity in the left, or a combination of Level VI in the right ear and Level I hearing acuity in the left. These combinations result in a 0 percent evaluation for hearing impairment under DC 6100.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate VA opinions regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and anosmia (claimed as loss of sense of smell).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a cranial disability, finding no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA compensation criteria. The right ankle disability rating issue is remanded.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and whether it is related to service or service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and to provide a medical opinion on the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability prior to May 8, 2012 and an increased rating in excess of ten percent from that date is being remanded due to inadequate reasons and bases provided by the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss disability is etiologically related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, which is granted as a TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as the current 10 percent rating represents the maximum schedular evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as the evidence shows continuous symptoms since service and meets the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, with no evidence of exceptional patterns or unique circumstances warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and an addendum opinion to address the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 10 percent from June 30, 2011 to September 20, 2012 and remains unchanged otherwise.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, to include chloracne, is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.