Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The June 2012 rating decision denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a lower back condition was subsumed by the Board's June 2016 decision, so the current appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. It is likely that his current bilateral hearing loss disability is attributable to in-service noise exposure, and it is also likely that his tinnitus is related to noise exposure in service or to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been rated as Level 'I', which corresponds to noncompensable disability. The Board finds that the criteria for a compensable rating have not been met.

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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding in-service noise exposure and treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability did not meet the criteria of a hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations and was not related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, render him unable to obtain and retain employment, even sedentary employment. TDIU is granted on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss with residuals of a left eardrum perforation, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current hearing loss and service.

The Board found no evidence of a sinusitis disability during service and concluded that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.,There was no hearing loss diagnosed in service, and the VA examiner opined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is less likely than not caused by or a result of an event in military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of performing sedentary work.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal regarding service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease, increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to May 15, 2015, and TDIU prior to May 15, 2015.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case will be returned to the RO for further consideration.

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

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss has been evaluated as level I, corresponding to a noncompensable rating. The evidence does not show specific levels of hearing loss that meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability has worsened, and a more recent VA examination is needed to determine the current level of disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of current diagnoses or a link between any claimed conditions and active military service.,No new effective date has been granted as no earlier effective date claim was filed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lower back disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding no current disabilities in these conditions.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, with the diagnoses supported by medical evidence. The Veteran's claims are granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA guidelines. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and increased rating for right foot disability prior to December 9, 2014 and 10 percent thereafter have been denied.