Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of osteomyelitis or valvular heart disease. The VA examinations did not provide sufficient information to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss and erectile dysfunction are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. It has also determined that these conditions are related to active service, thus establishing service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected asbestosis and bilateral hearing loss do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, with noise exposure during his duties as an airplane engine mechanic. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, specifically schizophrenia, is denied as the evidence does not show that his condition was incurred or aggravated by military service. The Board also found no indication of a TBI during service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a TBI. Regarding hearing loss, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and Crohn's disease with GERD were denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss since September 29, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's laryngeal cancer residuals, manifested by difficulty with speaking voice, swallowing, and aspiration when eating, warrants a 10 percent rating on an extraschedular basis. The hearing loss is rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran is granted a 100% rating for PTSD from November 17, 2011 to March 8, 2012. For the period prior to November 17, 2011, he is entitled to a 50% rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating prior to November 10, 2011, or a rating in excess of 30 percent from that date.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 17, 2017, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter was denied. The Board found that the audiometric examination results did not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for a sleep disorder, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development being needed. The heart condition claim is also being remanded.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability did not undergo an increase in severity during his active duty service, and therefore, it is not service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the current conditions are not related to service or any in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including an opinion on the functional impact of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and considering new evidence. The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and acquired psychiatric disability are inextricably intertwined with one another.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is at least 80 percent, and he meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that his disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability at any time during the appeal period.