Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, TBI, fatigue, headaches, gastrointestinal disorder, respiratory disorder, and scars. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as Level I, which corresponds to a noncompensable rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for his service-connected left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's hearing loss was rated as noncompensable prior to September 4, 2019 and as 10 percent since. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and service. The preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that his hearing loss began during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability are all granted. The claim for service connection for a left eye disability is dismissed, as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in October 2019. The claim for service connection for a right eye disability is also dismissed, with withdrawal of appeal by the Veteran in October 2019. Service connection for low back disability is granted, but remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to service-connected bilateral lower extremity cold weather injuries.

The Veteran's hepatitis C with liver fibrosis is rated at 60% since October 29, 2008. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, status post left tympanoplasty/mastoidectomy, status post septoplasty, left adrenal adenoma, bilateral renal cysts, and ulcerated stomach.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective March 25, 2011. This rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for astigmatism and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss were both denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection, and his current hearing acuity levels did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss since January 14, 2018 was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased disability evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been of sufficient severity to preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since March 15, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a link between current hearing loss and service exposure. The Veteran's in-service hearing evaluations showed normal hearing until some instances of elevated thresholds were noted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hip disorder, low back disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the current disabilities are related to in-service stressors and other factors.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not incurred in service and is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran disagrees with the reduction of his hearing loss rating from 50% to 0%, claiming that he still meets the criteria for a 50% evaluation and that the February 2016 audiometry results are inconsistent with the August 2015 VA examination. The Board is remanding the case to obtain an opinion on whether his hearing loss improved between the two evaluations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of audiometric data and shifts in hearing test results during service. The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is being sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied prior to April 4, 2018. From that date onwards, a compensable rating of 10 percent has been granted.,Service connection for residuals of fracture of the right great toe is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus has been granted service connection. The Veteran's hearing loss is remanded for further examination and opinion.