Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated as 0 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and increased rating for left ear hearing loss were denied. The Board found no evidence of PTSD or other acquired psychiatric disorders, and the noncompensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss was upheld based on VA audiometric evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further development of the record.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his bilateral hearing loss has been granted, with the effective date being October 31, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest in service or to a compensable degree within one year after service separation, were not continuous since service, and are not shown by the weight of the competent and probative evidence of record to be otherwise etiologically related to service. The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by chronic sleep impairment (including nightmares), mood disturbances (depression, anxiety, irritability), some social isolation with mistrust or suspiciousness of others, and difficulties with social relationships and managing social conflict.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU were denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of cold injury/neuropathy of bilateral feet have been granted, with a rating of 10%.,Prior to May 15, 2015, the Veteran was denied a compensable disability evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss. From May 15, 2015, he is now rated at 10% for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing before the Board. The issues of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, anxiety, right ear hearing loss, chondromalacia of both knees, and bilateral restless leg syndrome remain unresolved.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to assess the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, given the inadequate opinions in the November 2009 VA examination. The appeal is REMANDED.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The initial rating for his coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to September 28, 2012, was granted at a 30% disability rating. His claim for TDIU prior to that date was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, scars, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, right hand arthritis, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the schedular requirement for a TDIU due to his combined disability rating of 80 percent.

The Veteran's diagnosed bilateral hearing loss for VA compensation purposes had its onset during combat service in Vietnam, and the Board has determined that the criteria to establish service connection are met.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations and medical opinions are necessary to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right and left ankle sprains, as well as whether his diagnosed bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his conceded exposure to acoustic trauma in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are supported by evidence, meeting the first requirement for service connection. The second element is also met as there is in-service noise exposure consistent with his military duties. Given all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran, the Board finds that his tinnitus had its onset during service and grants service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal with respect to the issue of entitlement to service connection for chloracne. The case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, bilateral arm disorders (including left shoulder), and bilateral hand disorders are denied. Service connection is granted for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service onset or a relationship to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his active duty service, as there was no evidence of significant threshold shifts or noise injury during service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's hearing loss is causally related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his level of education and occupational experience.