Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss and diabetes mellitus II can be decided.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which combined are at least 40% disabling and prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the previously denied service connection claims for bilateral ear disabilities, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's competent and credible testimony, along with his submitted treatment records, adequately establishes causation in these cases.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms within a year post-service. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's service connection for left ear hearing loss, right knee instability (meniscal tear), and post-operative left knee with arthritis has been granted. The Veteran is assigned a noncompensable disability rating for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back strain and bilateral hearing loss, as well as service connection for ischemic heart disease. The evidence did not show entitlement to a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's inner ear disability, manifested by vertigo and dizziness, is granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at the minimum (10%) level. Tinnitus is also rated at the minimum (10%) level.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development due to the significant worsening of his service-connected right hip, right knee, cervical spine disabilities, and bilateral hearing loss since the last VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not shown during service or within one year thereafter, and there is no evidence of a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development and readjudication, including obtaining a new VA medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his current hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence received since the last denial. Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss, but not for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and right ear hearing loss, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions. The claim for an earlier effective date for left ear hearing loss is also denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, specifically noise exposure during active duty training or service in the Army National Guard. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has not resulted in a compensable evaluation on a schedular or extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not etiologically related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable under the VA rating schedule, and no higher evaluation is warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, due to personal assault during service.