Hearing loss decisions — 2017

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable (0%) since June 27, 2008. The VA and private audiometric evaluations have consistently shown that the Veteran's hearing impairment does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of his thoracolumbar spine disability was granted, and he is now rated at 40 percent. His service-connected bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient nexus opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, which are claimed as related to noise exposure in service. The Veteran served as an Air Policeman where he was exposed to jet engine noise.

The Veteran's initial non-compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, and a subsequent increase to 10 percent disabling effective June 4, 2016. The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise on whether the Veteran should have received an earlier effective date of March 4, 2014, but decided in his favor.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, and the effective date for service connection is set at June 24, 1991. The effective date for the increased rating of 20 percent is August 4, 2010.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, back disability, and left ear hearing loss are not attributable to his active service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling an audiological examination. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being evaluated to determine if they are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient opinions in previous VA examinations and incomplete medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating under VA's schedular criteria. The noncompensable disability evaluation accurately reflects his hearing impairment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as 0 percent disabling throughout the appeal period, corresponding to level I hearing in both ears. The current VA examination findings do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding service connection for bilateral pes planus and increased ratings for adjustment disorder with depressed mood, migraine headaches, post-operative right shoulder bursitis with scarring, lumbar spine strain, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board has no further jurisdiction to consider these matters.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and right knee disability are pending. The Board has determined that the evidence does not establish a current disability for any of these conditions as defined by VA standards.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to December 17, 2009 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity associated with diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity associated with diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are related to service, warranting service connection. The right leg scar is rated as noncompensable due to its nature.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records. The Appellant's claims of PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a left shoulder disorder will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.