Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board found that his hearing loss did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for loss of mobility (balance/gait) and a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss prior to December 2, 2014. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and its relation to service. The Veteran reported in-service noise exposure, but his service records are unavailable.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, knee, ankle, and right upper extremity neurological disabilities due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's essential tremor is also being remanded as there was no opinion regarding whether it is related to Gulf War service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss as he does not have a current disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were received in August 2015. Since these claims were filed more than one year after separation from service, the effective date cannot be earlier than August 19, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, and perforation of the tympanic membrane of the left ear due to outstanding VA records not being provided. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may be impacted by these other claims.

The Board denied service connection for various hand, knee, foot, and hearing loss disorders as the evidence did not establish a link to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various eye conditions, hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The back disability claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss was denied, and his claim for TDIU was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, and there is no evidence of unemployability solely based on these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not shown to warrant a compensable rating based on VA audiological examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently manifested by hearing impairment corresponding to no higher than an auditory acuity of Level III in the right ear and Level II in the left ear. As a result, he does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 30 percent prior to March 12, 2012 and increased to 40 percent on that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions and lack of consideration of certain evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to his in-service noise exposure during combat service in Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. A new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's tinnitus, hypertension, right wrist disability, and scars on the right wrist are all granted service connection.,Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss, otitis media, and residuals of complication from a vasectomy. However, these conditions do not meet the criteria for VA compensation.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss of the left ear due to a lack of evidence showing current disability.,The Board also denied service connection for hearing loss of the right ear as there was no in-service noise exposure and no current diagnosis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination, and a new opinion is needed regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability.