Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a VA-defined disability, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, as his audiometric results did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was remanded due to outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, left hand disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence does not support the presence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran is granted SMC on the basis of need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70% rating throughout the appeal period, effective June 6, 2012. Prior to December 15, 2015, the Veteran was not precluded from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service aggravation of bilateral hearing loss. The TDIU issue is being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a current VA audiological examination as his service-connected bilateral hearing loss may have worsened since the last evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, syphilis, and herpes. The claim is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that there is a reasonable possibility of establishing service connection due to in-service noise exposure. The conflicting medical opinions are considered and the Veteran prevails.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to acoustic trauma incurred during active service, and the Board has granted service connection for both conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss and finds that it was incurred during his honorable period of active duty service. The evidence shows a significant worsening of his right ear hearing loss during this time, although the exact cause is unclear.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psuedophakia status post cataract surgery (left eye condition) was reopened and granted. The Board found that the evidence presented a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss and back disorder as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board). The evidence shows that his hearing impairment does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for service connection of PTSD with depression. Other claims were not resolved in his favor.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are severe enough to warrant Category I status for self-employment, but the evidence does not show that all traditional employment goals other than self-employment are unsuitable due to his disabilities. Therefore, the appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including MDD, PTSD, and anxiety disorder), sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, colon polyps, bilateral hand disorder (thumb arthritis), CTS of the upper extremities, and right ear hearing loss are related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and his TDIU claim has been denied as he does not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that referral to extraschedular consideration is unwarranted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address the Veteran's symptoms of nausea, headaches, and ear pain in relation to her service-connected left ear hearing loss and peripheral vestibular disorder.