Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found that the appellant's income exceeded the maximum pension rates, thus denying her entitlement to death pension benefits.,The Board determined that reduction of the appellant's death pension benefits to $0.00 from January 1, 2012 was proper.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent prior to November 12, 2016 and higher than 10 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's lumbar spine compression fracture and sprain are not entitled to a rating higher than 20 percent.,The Veteran's L2-L4 left radiculopathy with meralgia paresthetica is rated at 10 percent prior to March 28, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial, non-compensable rating for left ear hearing loss. The evidence did not establish a nexus between current right ear hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's rating for bilateral hearing loss from 30 percent to 10 percent, effective October 1, 2009, was proper. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating is denied as his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the Veteran before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected tinnitus and hearing loss, as well as his claims for service connection for various conditions. The Veteran was granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and Meniere's syndrome with symptoms of vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure and combat injuries. The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered presumptive under the Gulf War Syndrome presumption.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss existed prior to his military service and did not worsen during service. Therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 23, 2013 was denied as his puretone threshold average did not warrant a compensable evaluation. The claim for a higher disability rating for left shoulder separation remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, but his right ear hearing loss is not. The Veteran served in combat and both conditions were noted during service.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disease during service or within one year after discharge. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD prior to July 19, 2016 was also denied due to lack of continuity of symptomatology. For the period beginning July 19, 2016 and thereafter, a higher rating for PTSD is not granted as there is no evidence that the disability has worsened beyond what is contemplated by the current 30 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, but he is granted service connection for tinnitus due to credible assertions of its onset during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from the examiner who conducted his September 2011 audiological examination. The examiner will address whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus had its onset in service or is otherwise related to any incident of service, including acknowledged in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms were found to more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood from July 17, 2009 to November 21, 2013. The initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted at 10 percent since July 17, 2009 and increased to 50 percent effective November 22, 2013. TDIU was also granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his exposure to acoustic trauma during service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The other issues were either not addressed or are pending further development.