Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is due to his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss, as his audiometric results did not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations. Therefore, service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case to schedule a videoconference hearing for the Veteran due to his request. The appeal is also remanded for additional development on the issues of evaluating bilateral hearing loss disability and reopening claims for bilateral foot, knee, and leg disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral hearing loss disability with an effective date of February 19, 1974. The previous denial was due to lack of evidence of increased severity in service compared to pre-service levels.

The Veteran's service connection claims for prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, erectile dysfunction, and right ear hearing loss are all granted due to exposure to Agent Orange during his military service. The Veteran is also granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his prostate cancer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his exposure to acoustic trauma during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent since the grant of service connection in December 2010. The current VA examinations show auditory acuity levels that do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. The Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the criteria for TDIU have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing left ear hearing loss did not worsen during service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated as 0 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and increased rating for left ear hearing loss were denied. The Board found no evidence of PTSD or other acquired psychiatric disorders, and the noncompensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss was upheld based on VA audiometric evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further development of the record.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his bilateral hearing loss has been granted, with the effective date being October 31, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest in service or to a compensable degree within one year after service separation, were not continuous since service, and are not shown by the weight of the competent and probative evidence of record to be otherwise etiologically related to service. The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by chronic sleep impairment (including nightmares), mood disturbances (depression, anxiety, irritability), some social isolation with mistrust or suspiciousness of others, and difficulties with social relationships and managing social conflict.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU were denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of cold injury/neuropathy of bilateral feet have been granted, with a rating of 10%.,Prior to May 15, 2015, the Veteran was denied a compensable disability evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss. From May 15, 2015, he is now rated at 10% for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing before the Board. The issues of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, anxiety, right ear hearing loss, chondromalacia of both knees, and bilateral restless leg syndrome remain unresolved.