Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found that there is no probative evidence linking a current low back disability to service, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes, and tinnitus, resulted in functional impairment sufficient to preclude gainful employment from July 29, 2011. The Board found that the Veteran met the schedular criteria for a TDIU at this time.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability and entitlement to a TDIU prior to October 23, 2013. As such, the issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, at its worst, results in level VII hearing acuity in the right ear and level I hearing acuity in the left ear. The criteria for a compensable disability rating have not been met or approximated.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including providing a VA psychiatric examination and issuing an SOC regarding educational assistance benefits. The appellant's claims of service connection for various conditions are not currently in appellate status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss is related to his active duty service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss is not service connected due to it being less likely than not related to his period of service. The right hip and bilateral foot conditions are also not service connected as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service and grants service connection for this condition.

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

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss did not present such an exceptional or unusual disability picture with related factors as marked interference with employment or necessitated frequent periods of hospitalization so as to render the regular schedular standards impractical. The evidence is insufficient to establish that he was unemployable due to service-connected disabilities during the period from August 3, 2011 to January 8, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to inconsistencies in the audiometric data and the need for additional opinions regarding the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, cold injuries of the lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathies have been granted service connection. The issue of an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU prior to April 25, 2011 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for his bilateral hearing loss from April 10, 2013. For TDIU prior to April 25, 2011, the Board noted inconsistencies and unreliable results in audiometric evaluations, finding that the Veteran was not rendered unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran served in the Navy and had periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). He claims his current hearing impairment is related to noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available. His bilateral hearing loss was initially granted a non-compensable rating and then denied for an increased rating from September 17, 2015.

The Veteran's atrial fibrillation is rated at 60 percent, effective June 8, 2012. The Board found that the symptoms of the service-connected atrial fibrillation meet the schedular criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and Meniere's disease, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability or evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the former being granted an initial compensable rating.