Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case will be returned to the RO for further consideration.

The Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss has been evaluated as level I, corresponding to a noncompensable rating. The evidence does not show specific levels of hearing loss that meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability has worsened, and a more recent VA examination is needed to determine the current level of disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of current diagnoses or a link between any claimed conditions and active military service.,No new effective date has been granted as no earlier effective date claim was filed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lower back disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding no current disabilities in these conditions.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, with the diagnoses supported by medical evidence. The Veteran's claims are granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA guidelines. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and increased rating for right foot disability prior to December 9, 2014 and 10 percent thereafter have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent for any portion of the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and TDIU as there was no evidence of a current disability related to service, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that his current hearing loss disability began in or is related to active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are shown to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis effective December 9, 2015.

The Veteran's tinnitus began during active duty and has continued to the present. The Veteran's current back disability, variously diagnosed as degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, and spondylolysis, is related to service.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of shrapnel wounds to the right shoulder and buttock due to in-service noise exposure and combat injuries. The Veteran's claims are supported by his personal accounts, medical records, and statements from fellow servicemen.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his bilateral hearing loss and right long finger disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The effective date of service connection for his hearing loss was established as October 15, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (rated 60 percent combined, and individually as follows: 60 percent for bilateral hearing loss; and 10 percent for tinnitus) preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. Therefore, a TDIU rating is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing. The appeal is not ready for appellate review until this hearing is scheduled.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA audiological examination to determine if his current hearing loss disability had onset in service or was caused by noise exposure during military service. For his basal cell carcinoma of the right infraorbital area, a VA examination will be conducted to assess whether it is at least as likely as not that the condition had onset in service or was caused by Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.