Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU rating, and he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected non-Hodgkin's lymphoma contributed to his death from suicide.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for increased rating of bilateral hearing loss due to missing VA audiological evaluation and failure to report a scheduled examination. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence or authorize VA to obtain private records, and undergo an audiologist's examination on a fee basis in Boca Raton.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is reasonably shown to have been caused by his exposure to noise trauma in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 50 percent since October 15, 2015. His TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment from July 2, 2015.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and bilateral hearing loss were granted service connection. The Veteran was assigned a 50% disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss beginning on November 14, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verifying his periods of active duty and Army Reserve service, obtaining relevant VA treatment records, and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service exposure to acoustic trauma, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's combat exposure during service is related to his current condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee sprain, Crohn's disease, and bipolar disorder. The evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection under direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be at least as likely as not related to in-service acoustic trauma, and his tinnitus is also found to be related to service. Therefore, both conditions are granted service connection.

The Veteran's request for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to scheduling issues with the scheduled hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss due to lack of new and material evidence, and because there is no reliable evidence showing that his current hearing loss disability meets or approximates the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the VA opinions obtained in March 2014 are inadequate and supplemental opinions are necessary to ensure compliance with the February 2014 remand. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus will be remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes in either ear, and thus cannot grant service connection. The evidence did not establish a significant threshold shift during service or within one year of separation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 40 percent, and his service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, coronary heart disease, and diabetic nephropathy with hypertension) have rendered him unemployable.,A total rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) has been granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from February 19, 2014. The appeal was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is as likely as not related to his active service, including exposure to loud noises during his ACDUTRA period. As a result, the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, pes planus, and tinnitus are service-connected. The RO granted a 50% rating for bilateral hearing loss effective January 22, 2015. The Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.