Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for tinnitus have all been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support granting any of these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is caused by noise exposure during his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting SMC based on aid and attendance prior to May 10, 2017.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his current level of hearing impairment does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and his tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure proper notice and to obtain missing service treatment records. The claims will be remanded for these purposes.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and thus cannot establish service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter and is not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed left ear hearing loss is etiologically related to his military noise exposure during service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded substantially gainful employment from July 1, 2007 to September 16, 2009. The Board granted a TDIU for this period.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's VA audiology treatment records and audiometric data. The case will be remanded for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and cholesteatoma do not warrant an initial compensable disability rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not related to his active service, including noise exposure. The evidence does not show a chronic disability resulting from in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as the evidence is in equipoise, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective December 17, 2009. His hearing loss and tinnitus are separately rated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, psychiatric disorder, hypertension, knee joint pains, myalgia, weight loss, and fatigue have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of a current disability or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's claim for an initial, noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the audiometric testing results did not meet criteria for a higher rating. The claim for service connection for bilateral hip disability was also denied due to lack of evidence linking any current hip disorder to active duty service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service, with the Board granting service connection for this condition. The hearing loss and skin condition claims are remanded for further development.