Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 10 percent, and his claim for service connection of an asbestos-related lung disease was denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as his hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to in-service acoustic trauma, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent.,Prior to December 4, 2011, the Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent. Since then, it has been rated at 40 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no current disability meeting VA criteria for hearing loss in either ear.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) do not constitute a serious employment handicap, as determined by the VA rehabilitation counselor. Therefore, he is denied VRE benefits under Chapter 31.

The Veteran's claim for an extraschedular rating for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied as the current schedular ratings are considered commensurate with his average earning capacity impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and determined that it is proximately due to a service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right ear disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and bilateral hip disability are still pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to noise exposure during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to noise from aircraft engines. As a result, the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA audiological examinations, as he has indicated that his hearing loss has worsened since his last examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination as his last one was conducted over four years ago and he claims an increase in severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service separation, and therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's entire appeal period hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is as likely as not related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 21, 2014 for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board finds that there is no legal basis by which an earlier effective date can be assigned.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in his disability rating beyond 10 percent prior to July 12, 2013, and 20 percent thereafter.