Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, but his claims for a bilateral foot disorder and heart disorder remain pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as 10 percent disabling since the appeal period began, based on his current audiometric findings.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 23, 2016, and a 10 percent rating thereafter since that date has been granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not currently shown to meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations, thus service connection is denied.,Service connection has been granted for an OSRD based on credible evidence of two stressors and current treatment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for another VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cardiomyopathy, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since December 28, 2007. Effective July 26, 2010, his TDIU rating was increased to a combined evaluation of 70 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to a grant of SMC at the aid and attendance rate.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus have made him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 28, 2002. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the case for extraschedular consideration of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, as per a March 2016 Memorandum Decision. The case will be returned to the Board after further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is causally related to service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to the character of his discharge. The Board of Correction of Naval Records upgraded his discharge from general court martial to under honorable conditions in February 2008, which allowed him to receive VA benefits. However, an earlier effective date was not granted as it would have been based on when he filed for correction of his military records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The claim for reopening of the previously denied lung/ respiratory disability is granted as new and material evidence has been received. Service connection for acid reflux is not established.

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

The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 10 percent prior to August 15, 2012 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. The Board found that the criteria for a higher initial disability rating were not met or approximated.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA treatment records. The appellant's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological evaluation and consideration of his claim in the context of TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, and his left inguinal herniorrhaphy scar with entrapment of the left ilio-inguinal nerve causing neuropathy is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board. The VA examinations showed Level II and III hearing acuity in both ears, which correspond to noncompensable evaluations under the Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent since September 22, 2008 through April 20, 2009. The claim for service connection of an eye disorder (diabetic retinopathy) was granted.