Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating based on VA examination results from September 2010, July 2012, and August 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for an audiology examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including referral to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to July 2, 2009. The Board found that the evidence does not support his contention of inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected conditions.

The Board found no evidence of in-service noise exposure or hearing loss, and concluded that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service hazardous noise exposure.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing loss did not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation based on VA examination results.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus with multiple plantar warts and calluses were present at service entry, pre-existed service, and did not become aggravated during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the Veteran's incarceration, and VA is required to arrange for an examination of the Veteran at his prison by VHA personnel or fee-basis providers. The issue will be reconsidered after the examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a disability rating for anxiety and depressive disorder. The Veteran is required to provide information about any relevant medical providers, obtain VA treatment records, and undergo a VA examination.

The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 20 percent for his right knee disability effective May 12, 2010. He is also granted a separate staged disability rating of 20 percent from May 12, 2010 to September 26, 2016 and 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD was granted from January 26, 2001. The effective date of the grant of service connection for left foot pes planus is set at October 5, 2009. A TDIU claim has been raised.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current disability of bilateral hearing loss and that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since November 24, 2009 and increased to 70 percent effective October 15, 2012. The hearing loss disability claim was not established.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service, specifically noise exposure during both active duty and reserve service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion regarding the etiology of his bladder cancer and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for reopening his previously denied claim of left ear hearing loss and for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new evidence supports these claims.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is directly related to service exposure, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as further development is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as it only results in Level II and Level I hearing acuity in each ear.

The case is being remanded for further audiometric testing and readjudication due to incomplete records. The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss since April 17, 2013 remains pending.