Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD has not been shown to cause total occupational and social impairment, thus the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent is denied. The issues regarding bilateral hearing loss disability and gastrointestinal condition are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to attend VA examinations and his assertion that a noncompensable rating is not an accurate evaluation of his current disability. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that service connection should be granted for sleep apnea, but not for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disorder is not related to his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service, but there is no evidence of a current low back disorder that began during or was caused by his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at 60 percent since January 24, 2017. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date is denied.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been granted, but the RO needs to schedule a new VA examination to reassess the current nature and severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 50 percent prior to September 24, 2014 and increased to 60 percent from September 24, 2014 until July 24, 2015. The rating of 100 percent for the entire period subsequent to July 24, 2015 was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions and need for additional examination.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, but a VA examination is needed to confirm this. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on the objective audiometry results provided.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and retaining gainful employment for which he would otherwise be qualified.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, including hearing loss, hip, knee, and ankle pain, and a respiratory condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 8, 2013, or a disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to February 7, 2014, and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent from February 7, 2014. The Veteran's claims for service connection were not supported by the evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all service-connected. The rating for the compression fracture of T12-L1 remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated VA audiological examination and review the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during his military service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.