Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not have onset during active service or within one year of service discharge and is not otherwise etiologically related to active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to December 9, 2009, for the grants of service connection for bilateral tinnitus and left ear hearing loss were denied as there is no evidence of record to demonstrate that such claims were received prior to December 9, 2009.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the rating for left ear hearing loss disability from 10 percent to noncompensable, effective June 1, 2010, was proper. The Veteran's hearing impairment is currently no worse than Level VII in his left ear.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss and found that new evidence received since the final March 2005 decision supports this claim. The case is now remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, and thus affords him the benefit of the doubt. The Board finds service connection is warranted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for erectile dysfunction and bilateral lower extremity edema. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating for hearing loss or service connection for erectile dysfunction, but noted that there was insufficient information to determine if bilateral lower extremity edema was related to coronary artery disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service and granted service connection for this condition. The VA examination did not provide a clear opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's foot disorder, eye disorder, or hearing disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, psychosis, depression, and schizophrenia) is pending. The Board notes that additional development may be needed to obtain SSA records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a disability as defined by VA regulations, and thus denied his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a vocational rehabilitation examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has at most manifested Level II hearing impairment in each ear during the appeal period, which does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year after discharge, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records. The issues of increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left ear hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence did not show chronic symptoms of right ear hearing loss or tinnitus during service, nor were they shown to be related to military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and thus grants his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and bilateral hearing loss are not related to his time in service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss manifested during active duty service or is a result of an incident of service. As such, the criteria for service connection have been met and the claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and readjudicating the claims.