Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 24, 2015 was denied. From July 24, 2015 onwards, the Veteran is not entitled to any disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted a 10 percent extraschedular rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 15, 2015.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since the initial grant of service connection. The most recent VA examinations have consistently shown that his hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability was not incurred in service and is against finding a relationship to service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's hearing loss more likely than not began due to age or post-service occupational and recreational noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for sleep apnea, and left knee disability were denied. The claim for service connection for a bilateral elbow disability was not addressed as it is considered outside the scope of this appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has not resulted in a compensable evaluation during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 10 percent since the May 2009 VA audiology examination. The most recent September 2015 VA audiometry test did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a hearing loss disability during service or within one year following discharge, and the most probative evidence indicates that the current left ear hearing loss disability is not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's leg disability is considered secondary to a service-connected back disability and claimed diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence supported these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or bilateral ear disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, but not housebound. Special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable disability rating at any time during the appeal period. The claim for service connection for a scar on the upper lip is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not originate in active service, was not caused by active service, and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service separation. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted based on the current evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is due to her exposure to hazardous noise levels during service in Desert Storm, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service, and granted his claim for service connection.