Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records. The issues of service connection for a left knee disability, increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by no worse than Level I hearing impairment in his left ear and no worse than Level II hearing impairment in his right ear, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and determined that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. The Board also found that the Veteran had left eye injury and left eardrum damage during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder and denied service connection for PTSD. For bilateral hearing loss, while the Veteran contends his hearing issues are related to noise exposure in Vietnam, there is no evidence of any hearing problems during service or within one year post-service, and he did not seek treatment until after separation. As such, service connection was also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to exposure to loud noise during active service and the Board grants service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's residuals of a right index finger fracture are currently rated at 10 percent, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to functional impairment that does not equate to amputation.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as Level I (mild) and does not meet the criteria for a compensable initial rating.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not manifest within one year of separation from service and is not shown to be causally related to his active duty service. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

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

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA eligibility were awarded effective February 17, 2007. The Board found that an earlier effective date was not warranted due to the Veteran's continued employment until February 16, 2007.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to the Board's decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus did not have a direct relationship to his military service, as there was no evidence of hearing problems during or immediately after service. The Board also noted that the current diagnoses were not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a current diagnosis of hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and residuals of a fracture of the pelvis with degenerative joint disease left hip, precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and work background since June 21, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his military service.

Your claims for service connection are being remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action. Specifically, you need to be scheduled for a videoconference hearing before a Board Member at your local RO.