Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to June 28, 2015 and did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent from June 28, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination of his bilateral hearing loss disability. The issue remains whether he is entitled to an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is likely the result of his active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD has been denied as there is no legal basis to award a higher evaluation. The maximum schedular rating of 70 percent has been assigned since September 4, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss. The case will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's skin disorder of the feet, specifically tinea pedis with onychomycosis, is found to have its onset during service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to allow for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has not resulted in a level of impairment that warrants a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was found to be manifested by no more than Level II hearing acuity in the left ear and Level IV hearing acuity in the right ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board determined that the criteria for an initial compensable rating have not been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for service connection, as there was no evidence of a hearing disability within one year after service and the audiometric results during service were normal. The opinion from the VHA supported this finding.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic conditions. Service connection was granted for bunions of the feet.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus based on in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran does not have a right ear hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and therefore, his claim of service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found that there was no credible supporting evidence of the claimed stressors and no current diagnosis of PTSD. For bilateral pes planus, the Board noted that the disability existed prior to active duty and did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted at a 70 percent evaluation from July 14, 2008 through April 15, 2012. Beginning on July 1, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 100 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding the type of active duty performed by the appellant during his National Guard service, and whether it qualifies as active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and chronic low back pain with degenerative changes is dismissed. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, thus granting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is service-connected. The Board finds that the Veteran did not have a right or left hearing loss 'disability' which existed prior to service, and the Veteran was found to have a right and left hearing loss disability per VA standards during service as demonstrated by May 1966 audiometric readings. As such, the Veteran is entitled to service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.