Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable disability rating, as his audiometric results do not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during his first period of active service or to a compensable degree within one year thereafter, and was not aggravated by such service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant an increased rating or any other favorable determination.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent since July 18, 2012. The Board denied an increased rating in excess of this level.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss and an initial increased rating for asbestosis were denied by the VA. The TDIU claim remains in appellate status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not caused by his exposure to excessive noise during military service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD, migraine headaches and bilateral high frequency hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of the date of his May 22, 2012 claim for an increased rating.,PTSD is rated at 70 percent from April 30, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss (prior to July 9, 2013), CAD, left calf scar and shell fragment wound residuals, left lower extremity lateral plantar sensory terminal latency, right thigh meralgia paresthetica, headache disability, and low back pain have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding private and VA treatment records, as well as new examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be noncompensably disabling, as his pure tone thresholds did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA's tables for rating hearing loss disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was denied, and his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to service for either condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and PTSD claims require additional development due to inadequate or incomplete medical opinions, as well as missing treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and found that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military noise exposure. The claim of a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active service and has continued since, granting service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's left knee DJD is directly related to his military service.,The Veteran's right knee DJD was proximately due to his service-connected left knee DJD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service acoustic trauma, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent since May 7, 2009. The January 2016 VA examination confirmed the severity of his hearing impairment and maintained a rating of 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was manifested by Level III hearing acuity in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable evaluation. The issue of service connection for a low back disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision and is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for coronary artery disease and erectile dysfunction, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability and hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since May 1, 2012.