Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is now rated at 0 percent, effective October 17, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but the claims of service connection for a sinus condition and respiratory condition are remanded due to inadequate evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for residuals of fracture of the right humerus is not supported by new and material evidence. The claims for residual scar, status post left tibial bone graft (left leg scar) and bilateral hearing loss are also denied as they do not involve a service connection issue.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, with a current noncompensable rating prior to December 18, 2013 and a 10% rating from that date forward.

The Veteran's appeal includes requests for an earlier effective date and a higher disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining audiometric test results and scheduling the Veteran for another VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and initial disability ratings in excess of 60 percent for left knee degenerative joint disease status post total knee replacement, finding no evidence to support a nexus between his current disabilities and his active military service. The Veteran's scars were also not found to warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has been manifested by no worse than Level IV impairment in the left ear and Level II impairment in the right ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to his acoustic trauma sustained in active service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records. The issue of entitlement to TDIU will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not related to service, and his left ear hearing loss preexisting condition did not worsen during service.

The Board has determined that the character of the Veteran's discharge from service is not a bar to receiving VA benefits, and thus he qualifies as a 'veteran' for purposes of VA benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right ankle disability did not have their clinical onset in service or are otherwise related to active duty. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran's thoracic spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective May 24, 2010. The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the thoracic spine disability and found that the criteria for TDIU have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was not incurred or aggravated as a result of active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis of the wrists, elbows, and knees, and hemorrhoids have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service events that could be related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is not rated higher than noncompensable. The Veteran's skin cancer of the right shoulder and face, to include the nose, has been found not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, prevent him from securing and maintaining any substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's cold injury residuals were granted effective January 23, 2007. The rating assigned is 30 percent for both the left and right feet prior to this date.