Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The issues of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are also remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran currently does not have a groin disorder of service origin and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound, including for his spouse.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability has not been found to warrant a higher rating than the current noncompensable (0%) rating.

The Veteran does not have a current disability for the purposes of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder, is not related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was evaluated as noncompensable. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on his audiometric test results, and thus denied the claim for an increased rating. For the period from February 1, 2008 to December 7, 2011, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities other than PTSD were not independently ratable at 60 percent or more, and therefore he was not permanently housebound by reason of service-connected disability or disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss disability was incurred in or otherwise resulted from military service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spondylosis, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim. The Veteran was also denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and right hand degenerative joint disease.,The Veteran is already service-connected for residual scar, status post excision of growth of the neck, but no other cervical spine scars have been established.

The Veteran is granted specially adapted housing due to multiple service-connected disabilities, including the loss or use of the left lower extremity and residuals of organic disease/injury affecting balance and propulsion. The issue of a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was granted, with a rating of 50% effective from February 27, 2012.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least in equipoise with the evidence, and therefore reasonable doubt must be resolved in favor of the Veteran. Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, but the Board has decided to remand the case for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not caused by noise exposure during his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there was no established continuity of symptoms after discharge. The VA examiner opined that it is less likely than not that the Veteran's hearing loss is due to military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by his military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during service or within one year thereafter. The VA examiner found no nexus between current hearing loss and tinnitus and active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not attributable to service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or other causative factors.

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis is considered service-connected, with the Board finding that it was incurred in service. The bilateral hearing loss disability claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need to obtain and associate all outstanding VA treatment records, specifically including the May 28, 2014 audiological examination results.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU based on these conditions.