Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this disability. The Veteran does not have any other service-connected conditions that affect his ability to work or socialize.

The Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated during active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss prior to June 16, 2014 is being remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding consistency of previously administered audiological examinations with the June 2014 examination results.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the Court's decision, and he will be provided a new VA examination for his psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, costochondritis (chest pain), and hypertension were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus remain at 10 percent, as the evidence does not meet criteria for higher evaluations.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and assigned an effective date of May 1980. The Veteran's pleurisy of the right lung is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, with no higher rating being warranted under any circumstances. The Veteran's scars are currently rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable under the VA rating schedule, with no evidence of severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a compensable rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his active duty service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not manifest during service or for many years thereafter, and is not shown to be a result of active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 60 percent since November 12, 2015. The Board finds that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and grants TDIU on a schedular basis from this date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are reasonably shown to be of such nature and severity as to preclude his participation in any regular substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as evidenced by normal hearing at separation and no in-service complaints or treatment for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and right shoulder AC joint degenerative arthritis are granted. The claim for higher rating for right shoulder AC joint degenerative arthritis is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for new VA examinations to evaluate his bilateral SNHL, bilateral foot condition, bilateral knee condition, tension headaches, back condition, and muscle and joint pain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and readjudication of his claims.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea have been withdrawn. The remaining issues of service connection for right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease and L5 herniated nucleus pulposus, as well as for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, were denied due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are due to in-service noise exposure, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss or a respiratory disorder, to include sinusitis. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.