Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an increased evaluation and his TDIU claim is denied as he is able to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible schedular rating of 70 percent, effective August 7, 2012. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is due to exposure to hazardous noise levels during service, and thus grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disorder, to include COPD and bilateral hearing loss. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen a claim for hypertension is inextricably intertwined with the psychiatric disorder claim.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD effective July 13, 2010. The Veteran's hypertension and kidney disorder are related to herbicide exposure, while hearing loss is not currently shown in either ear.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to ensure a complete record prior to adjudicating the Veteran's claims. This includes obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records, scheduling an appropriate VA examination for each issue on appeal, and considering whether service connection can be granted based on direct evidence of a link between current disabilities and service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are due to his military service. Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded as additional information about the Veteran's periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA is needed.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination. The appeal of service connection for left and right ruptured/punctured eardrums is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims during the June 2017 Board hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and will provide a supplemental statement of the case if any decision is adverse.

The Veteran's claim for an initial noncompensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric evaluations did not show any worse than Level I hearing impairment in each ear.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of service connection for flat feet and higher initial ratings for thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis with IVDS, allergic rhinitis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and status post right thumb fracture.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with the VA examiner finding that his hearing impairment does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a hearing loss and tinnitus examination as well as a PTSD examination.

The Board has decided that the VA examination provided in February 2012 did not adequately address the Veteran's statements about his in-service exposure to noise and difficulty hearing, and thus remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric evaluations consistently showed Level II hearing impairment, which corresponds to a noncompensable disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than November 19, 2012 for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The effective date for hearing loss is September 16, 1999, and the effective date for tinnitus is April 23, 2001.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred in service, granting service connection for these conditions.