Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70% rating. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is currently rated as zero percent disabling, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, hypertension, right ear hearing loss, and asthma have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an in-service incident or event related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition. The issues of left ankle problem and right ankle problem are remanded due to a need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition. However, the left ear hearing loss disability was not shown to be aggravated by service, thus denying service connection for this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability did not have its onset in service or within a presumptive period, and is not etiologically related to service. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not begin during service or within one year of separation, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of a significant threshold shift in either ear during service. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, while the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA audiological examination and the development of his TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hip replacements and DJD of the lumbar and cervical spine, render him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board grants SMC based on the need for aid and assistance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his active military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of an injury to the left hand and thumb was denied. The claim for hearing loss is pending, as new evidence may support a finding of current disability. The claim for thoracic spine disorder remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss had its onset during service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage standards for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, given his vocational opinion and testimony indicating he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, the Board has determined that extraschedular consideration may be warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be noncompensable, and his claims for service connection of hypertension and vertigo were denied.

The Board has ordered a new VA audiological examination to determine if the September 2016 private audiogram used the Maryland CNC test for word recognition ability. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for post-concussive syndrome, peripheral vestibular disorder, and bilateral hearing loss were not granted earlier than May 26, 2010. The skin disorder claim is pending as it relates to service exposure, but the diabetes mellitus claim remains unresolved.