Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely due to noise exposure during his active duty, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss are all related to service. The Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss have been denied as his hearing did not meet VA criteria for a disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as a need for an addendum opinion from the May 2013 VA examiner regarding his bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30% rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show he had hearing loss to a compensable degree prior to October 17, 2012.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss and his in-service noise exposure. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a current VA audiology examination and for further development of the record. The issue remains on appeal regarding an initial increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period. The Board finds that his claim for increased ratings is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lung disability, and diabetes mellitus type II. The decision found that there was no current evidence of a hearing loss disability for VA purposes in either ear, and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as the maximum schedular rating authorized for each condition is 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss in April 2003, finding no evidence of a causal link between his current hearing loss and active duty service. The Veteran has not submitted new and material evidence to reopen this claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is not unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for gout of the left great toe, a left ear hearing loss disability, and residuals of an infection of the right foot. Service connection was granted for hypertension.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left ear disability due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claim is granted as there is now sufficient evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 60 percent effective November 13, 2014. Prior to this date, the disability had been rated as non-compensable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his active service, while his claim for PTSD stemming from in-service fear of hostile environment conditions was not supported by evidence showing a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, dizzy spells, chronic memory loss, erectile dysfunction (ED), and intestinal disorder have been granted. The claim for a rating greater than 10 percent for left wrist strain with ganglion remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another, or by reason of being housebound was denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is considered as part of his pending increased rating claim.

The Board finds that there is no competent or credible evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and right shoulder disability. The earliest clinical evidence of these conditions does not date back to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's difficulty concentrating due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is not an additional symptom for which he can be granted a higher rating, as it overlaps with his already service-connected PTSD. Therefore, an extraschedular compensable rating for his hearing loss disability is denied.