Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective July 24, 2005 due to his service-connected ear disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantial gainful employment.

The Board found that the reduction of the disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from 10% to noncompensable was proper due to a finding of clear and unmistakable error in the April 2009 rating decision, and all necessary procedural steps were followed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus on an extraschedular basis, finding that the combined schedular ratings adequately capture the functional impact of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and thus grants a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an initial, compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 28, 2012, and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of recurrent ear infections is denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA's rating schedule.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no exceptional pattern of hearing impairment present.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and an unspecified anxiety disorder. Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims for high cholesterol, bilateral eye disorders, gastrointestinal disorder (including acid reflux), and skin disorder are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for his hearing. The claims for service connection and increased ratings for the mood disorder remain under consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disability, headaches, lower back disability, bilateral hip disability as secondary to the lower back disability, neck disability, and left knee disability. The appeal was dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal for the claim for entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active duty service and he is granted service connection for this condition.,There is no evidence of an in-service event or injury with regard to the Veteran's diagnosed right eye blindness. The claim for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide addendum opinions regarding the etiology of his hearing loss, left hand/wrist injury residuals, and diabetes mellitus. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's TBI and hearing loss are found to be related to service, while PTSD is also granted. The Board finds that the Veteran sustained burn scars on his face and arms during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the earliest date of receipt of a claim is October 22, 2009.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and determined that new evidence supports a finding of etiology. The Veteran is now entitled to service connection for his current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a dental disability. The Veteran's statements regarding current disabilities are considered cumulative of previous contentions.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including exposure to noise during active duty. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by no worse than level I hearing in both ears, warranting a zero percent disability evaluation. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be at least as likely as not aggravated by the regular use of ibuprofen for treatment of his service-connected spine disabilities.

The Veteran's sinusitis has been rated at 30 percent since December 8, 2006. The Board also granted a TDIU effective from December 8, 2006, based on the combined impact of multiple service-connected disabilities.