Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The VA denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, concluding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current hearing impairment and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to January 15, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss disability of the left ear does not warrant a compensable rating during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as it meets the criteria for direct service connection due to exposure to acoustic trauma during active duty and reported continuity of symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is service-connected and granted a compensable disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and to obtain outstanding treatment records.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, as his current diagnosis of tinnitus and credible statements regarding its onset during service are sufficient to meet the criteria for service connection. The case is being remanded for additional development related to bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for dizziness, inner ear pain, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to outstanding medical records and the need for an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video hearing. Service connection claims and increased rating claims are pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD have been denied. The Veteran was not granted a temporary total rating based on hospitalization from May 8, 2015 to June 15, 2015 due to his nonservice-connected alcohol and cocaine dependence. His claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD has also been denied.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted, while the underlying claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded to the AOJ for additional development.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss, effective from the entire initial rating period on appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected and at least as likely as not related to in-service acoustic trauma. For the period prior to February 9, 2012, his right wrist disability warrants a 10% rating based on limitation of motion and arthritis. Since February 9, 2012, no higher ratings are warranted. The Veteran's right fifth finger disability also warrants a 10% rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on his audiometric test results.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but granted his claim for left ear hearing loss. The decision is based on the lack of current disability for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 10 percent, which does not meet the threshold requirement for awarding increased compensation based on his spouse's need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability has been denied as his current level of hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, or bilateral shoulder disorder and therefore service connection is denied.