Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are attributable to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss due to inconsistencies in the January 2014 audiological examination report. A new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective July 3, 2013. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD and the earlier effective date for PTSD are granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, a back disorder to include L3 herniated disc, with dried out discs, L4-L5, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (claimed as 'numbness'). The issues are related to service connection on the merits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and dismissed the appeal regarding tinnitus. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder not otherwise specified is granted with a 50 percent rating, effective from March 2, 2011. The other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with a combined percentage evaluation of 0 percent. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new examination to determine the current severity of his disability.

The Board has remanded both issues, including the claim of an earlier effective date for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's pension eligibility is also under review due to his income and net worth.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for tinnitus, as well as service connection for bilateral hearing loss, has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran is already receiving the maximum disability rating for his tinnitus and there was no evidence of a hearing loss disability in either ear for VA purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral knee disorders, right ear hearing loss, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The conditions are deemed to have originated during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because there is no evidence of a current disability. The claim for tinnitus is granted as the Veteran reported experiencing it during military training.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, type II diabetes, tinnitus, bilateral pseudophakia, and bilateral hearing loss, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and residuals of a right ear abscess/infection, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of in-service acoustic trauma or a current disability, and the Veteran's hearing loss is more likely due to civilian noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in July 2011. The appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran's representative, and no new evidence has been received since then.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it began during his military service and has continued since then.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence. The earlier effective date claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as September 13, 2012, is the appropriate date.