Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss have been rated at the maximum schedular rating available under applicable criteria. The Board denied a higher initial rating for his tinnitus, but found that the current evaluation of 30 percent is adequate to evaluate his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, as there is no evidence of noise exposure during service and current hearing loss and tinnitus were first reported decades after service.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status due to his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss effective October 5, 2015. Prior to that date, the Veteran was rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's heart condition, claimed as ischemic heart disease, was not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing it was caused by or aggravated by service. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD did not cause his current heart condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's schedular evaluation criteria, and thus denied his claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable disability rating based on the audiometric test results provided. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board denied referral for extraschedular consideration of the claim of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for the service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the criteria used to evaluate the Veteran's disability reasonably describe his level and symptomatology.

The Board finds that the overpayment of educational assistance benefits in the amount of $5259.00 is invalid due to VA's administrative error and grants the Veteran's request for waiver of this overpayment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, as these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, and a compensable disability rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active or reserve service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's reported symptoms are related to his military service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability within one year post-service and no in-service noise exposure leading to permanent threshold shift.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss did not meet the qualifying VA criteria for a hearing loss disorder and therefore denied service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and issuance of a supplemental statement of the case. The issues include seeking a higher disability rating for his service-connected hearing loss and otosclerosis disabilities, as well as determining if he qualifies for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a rating in excess of noncompensable, as his current hearing acuity levels do not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA disability evaluation guidelines.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, but these issues are being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence.