Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and determined that there is sufficient evidence to grant service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for his bilateral hearing loss effective January 7, 2013. The effective date of the 30 percent rating for his hearing loss is September 21, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to noise from vehicles, artillery, and hunting. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board also found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to his in-service noise exposure, thus granting the claim.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to November 21, 2011, and in excess of 10 percent from November 21, 2011 and February 5, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused him to be unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the decision favoring the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a 30 percent evaluation on and from October 7, 2015. Prior to this date, the disability was rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable disability rating, as his audiometric results do not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during his first period of active service or to a compensable degree within one year thereafter, and was not aggravated by such service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant an increased rating or any other favorable determination.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent since July 18, 2012. The Board denied an increased rating in excess of this level.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss and an initial increased rating for asbestosis were denied by the VA. The TDIU claim remains in appellate status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not caused by his exposure to excessive noise during military service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD, migraine headaches and bilateral high frequency hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of the date of his May 22, 2012 claim for an increased rating.,PTSD is rated at 70 percent from April 30, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss (prior to July 9, 2013), CAD, left calf scar and shell fragment wound residuals, left lower extremity lateral plantar sensory terminal latency, right thigh meralgia paresthetica, headache disability, and low back pain have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding private and VA treatment records, as well as new examinations.