Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability and the relationship between his service-connected left ear hearing loss disability. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as Level II in all periods of the appeal, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating. The Board found that this evaluation adequately reflects his disability level and symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches/dizziness have been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, there is no current diagnosis of a traumatic brain injury or service-connected psychiatric disability other than PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and secure substantial gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unemployable, as they significantly impact his ability to work in his prior capacity as a geologist.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and for a new VA examination. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee DJD as secondary to the service-connected residuals of a fractured left femur, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not caused by or a result of noise exposure during active service. The claim for sleeping problems is remanded due to lack of diagnosis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and consideration of his hearing loss claim, including a review of the medical evidence and an updated VA examination. The effective date of service connection has been revised to October 2004.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral knee disabilities and hearing loss, and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 60 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss, effective January 1, 2012 to January 23, 2014 was granted. The issue of entitlement to TDIU termination on January 1, 2012 was also resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to in-service noise exposure, and the claim for service connection for this condition is granted. The left hand injury claim will be remanded as it involves a new issue not previously addressed.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 50 percent since the appeal period began, reflecting a significant improvement from the initial rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of his testimony during the November 2016 hearing.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as there was evidence of a current disability, in-service hearing loss, and no medical opinion provided an opposing nexus. The Veteran's hearing loss was noted during service and continues to this day.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his military service, including noise exposure. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as his current hearing acuity levels do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.