Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is warranted as of August 30, 2016. Prior to this date, the Veteran's hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations of posttraumatic stress disorder and bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal on the issue of the evaluation of PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military noise exposure.,Service connection was denied for left hip replacement and right hip replacement due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a combined evaluation of 70 percent, which is high enough to warrant TDIU from September 13, 2010 to August 6, 2013. The effective date for service connection for PTSD has been set at June 9, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss in his left ear is a result of service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The Board also finds that there is no evidence to support the claim of ophthalmologic sarcoidosis being related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss remains on appeal, and the Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for a new VA audiology examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his military service.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of the record, including sending an SOC with respect to his skin disorder claim and scheduling a video conference with a member of the Board.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues related to bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, type II, and anxiety disorder prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a hearing request and pending appeal to the Court.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a low back disability, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision also addressed issues related to reopening his claim for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss disability and its relation to service despite having normal hearing at separation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military service, with the noise exposure as a Machine Gunner being considered the primary cause.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss, left ear infection residuals, or eye disability for VA purposes and thus cannot establish service connection.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture with marked interference with employment, and therefore, an extraschedular rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and found it is related to the Veteran's exposure to noise in service. The issue of an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, now bilateral hearing loss, is being remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including an audiologist opinion to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to function in a work setting.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and anxiety disorder. The right shoulder condition was rated at 20 percent prior to May 13, 2013, and 40 percent thereafter. The scar on the knee is not compensable.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The left knee disability is also found to have an onset during service, warranting service connection.