Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with no more than level I hearing impairment throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not present during service or for many years thereafter, and are not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have a current left hip disability, and any preexisting condition was not aggravated by service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for palmoplantar keratoderma and left ear hearing loss, including a request to refer his palmoplantar keratoderma claim for extraschedular evaluation. The case is also referred for consideration of whether an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded the claims due to a scheduling conflict, and the Veteran's request for a hearing by videoconference at the RO.

The Veteran has current bilateral hearing loss disability that is the result of in-service exposure to weapons fire and excessive noise. The Board grants service connection based on direct service connection due to a link between service and the current condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since its initial grant. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's hearing impairment levels correspond to Level I in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his right ear hearing loss and readjudication of his claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The issues on appeal will be readjudicated after a supplemental opinion is provided.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if he has sufficient hearing loss to satisfy the threshold minimum requirements of 38 C.F.R. § 3.385, as well as to obtain an opinion on whether his current hearing loss disability is related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his period of active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period. The Board finds that there is no audiological evidence of record to support an initial compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss at any point during the appeal period.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his active service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular rating requirement for assignment of a TDIU and he is reasonably shown to be unable to secure or follow a substantial gainful occupation as a result of these disabilities. The claim for increase in left shoulder disability remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable throughout the entire rating period on appeal. The Board found that his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee arthritis is as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.