Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an adequate audiology examination to determine the current nature and severity of his bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be re-adjudicated after any further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with symptoms beginning during or shortly after service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss, but remanded for additional development on other issues.

The Veteran's request for service connection for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to a scheduling error. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantial gainful employment, thus the claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for nerve damage to the cervical spine, a herniated muscle in left medial leg, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a bilateral shoulder disorder. The Veteran was granted a 60 percent rating for right knee degenerative joint disease with residuals of partial knee replacement.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability, as the most recent audiometric testing did not show impairment meeting VA compensation criteria. For the claim involving joint stiffness in the ankles, hips, and elbows, there was insufficient evidence to establish that it is related to service or Gulf War exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently manifested by no more than level II hearing impairment in the right ear and level IV hearing impairment in the left ear, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to incomplete records, insufficient information regarding the onset of her conditions during service, and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing impairment is related to his exposure to loud noise during active duty. The right knee disability claim was denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the inadequate nature of the February 2010 VA examination, which did not address the threshold shifts in hearing from service. The Court also found that the August 2015 testimony regarding tinnitus was not adequately addressed by the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate development of his claim for a total disability rating by reason of individual unemployability (TDIU). The AOJ must ensure that the Veteran undergoes an adequate VA examination and obtain an opinion regarding whether his service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, epicondylitis of the right elbow, and low back disability, preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination report and needs to obtain a new VA audiological examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's left eye aphakia and bilateral hearing loss have been rated based on their respective service-connected conditions. The Board has granted a disability rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss from June 23, 2010.

The Veteran was granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service connected disorders from June 2, 2009 to March 6, 2013. The issue of entitlement to this benefit for any periods prior to June 2, 2009 remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are at least as likely as not due to service, while malaria and asbestosis have no current evidence of a disability. The claim for malaria is denied, and the claim for asbestosis is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, TMJ dysfunction, radiculopathy, and neck disability. The RO also determined that the Veteran did not meet criteria for TDIU prior to June 24, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board videoconference hearing to address his claim of entitlement to a total disability rating for individual unemployability due to the service-connected disabilities (TDIU).