Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has decided that the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus need further development due to incomplete medical records and insufficient reasoning in previous opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was evaluated as noncompensable prior to March 7, 2017; rated at 10 percent from March 7, 2017, to June 7, 2017; and rated at 30 percent beginning June 8, 2017. The criteria for a higher rating were not met during any of these periods.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was reopened and granted with a 70% rating. His PTSD also warrants a 70% rating, and he is now eligible for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.,PTSD has rendered the Veteran unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting both an increased rating and eligibility for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, headaches, and a right leg disorder are all pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining the Veteran's enlistment examination report from his second period of service and any outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during service, resolving all doubt in his favor. The claim for headaches is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and headaches have been granted service connection.,His initial rating for chronic thorax myofascial strain, status-post 9th right posterior rib fracture, has been denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to service, while prostate cancer and coronary artery disease were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss but denied for a bilateral knee disability, as the Veteran's knee condition was not incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection. The right hand sensory loss and arthritis are not rated higher than the current 30 percent, but the TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's hearing acuity is no worse than Level II in each ear, warranting a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, vertigo, and left ear hearing loss have all been denied.,There is no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions.

The Veteran's pterygium was found to be 20 percent disabling as of September 13, 2016. The earlier effective date for the 20 percent rating is granted.

The appellant has withdrawn the appeals for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, thus dismissing these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not resulted in any new diagnoses or conditions that would warrant increased ratings. The right and left wrist carpal tunnel syndromes are resolved, as is the lumbar spine disability. The cervical spine disability remains not service connected.,No current evidence of radiculopathy or hearing loss has been found.

The Veteran's service-connected genital herpes was granted a disability rating of 60 percent effective February 23, 2010. The other claims were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 10 percent disabling since September 12, 2017. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since April 17, 2013. The evidence does not support a finding of exceptional hearing impairment or entitlement to a higher rating based on service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service and grants service connection for this condition. The claim regarding rhinitis and sinusitis remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.