Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to have begun in service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection. Service connection is also granted for PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder, as these conditions are related to his reported in-service stressors.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and lumbar degenerative joint disease with intervertebral disc syndrome are service-connected, but the Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating for his acromioclavicular joint condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for TBI was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current hearing loss disability or a causal relationship between in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss. For TBI, the most recent VA examination showed normal hearing and no significant cognitive impairment.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be etiologically related to military service, and the claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU prior to March 18, 2008. The Director of Compensation Service determined that extraschedular consideration was not warranted.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and PTSD have been granted service connection, while COPD has not. The right ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his cervical spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show that forward flexion was limited to 15 degrees or less, which would warrant a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 7, 2011 was also denied as he failed to complete the necessary VA Form 21-8940, leaving insufficient information regarding his employment history.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the Appellant's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). The VA examiner was asked to provide an opinion on whether his current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service acoustic trauma during any period of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA. Further efforts to obtain records from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) and Defense Finance Accounting Service (DFAS) were also requested.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is caused by in-service noise exposure and therefore service connection for tinnitus is granted. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is service connected.,The Veteran's tinnitus disability is service connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The VA examiner opined that these disabilities are less likely than not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss does not warrant an initial compensable rating at any point during his appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they meet the criteria for a disability for VA compensation purposes, with the onset of both conditions occurring during his active duty.

The Veteran's hepatitis B and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss have not resulted in any incapacitating episodes or significant functional impairment, warranting a noncompensable disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left arm disability and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities during the period of his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left shoulder disability, intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative disc disease L5-S1, urinary frequency, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and tinnitus, do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he is capable of full-time employment.

The Veteran's only service-connected disability is bilateral hearing loss, rated at 0 percent. The Board finds that this does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU and concludes that he is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, renal failure with diabetic nephropathy, and bilateral hearing loss have all been denied. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.