Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated at 70 percent since June 2, 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, Gulf War Syndrome, left ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, and PTSD with depressive disorder were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to a signed statement from his representative indicating he wishes to withdraw the issues on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for right eye cataract, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's right eye cataract was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disease or injury, to include diabetes mellitus or left eye retinopathy. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be causally related to any disease, injury, or incident in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease and increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease was not found to be related to his active duty service or caused by pain medication used for his service-connected disabilities. His bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable prior to October 22, 2015, but the Board determined that a compensable rating is warranted since July 26, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim of reopening the previously denied low back disorder was also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not related to his military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 60 percent since the appeal period began. The Board found that his current hearing acuity levels do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective July 24, 2005 due to his service-connected ear disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantial gainful employment.

The Board found that the reduction of the disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from 10% to noncompensable was proper due to a finding of clear and unmistakable error in the April 2009 rating decision, and all necessary procedural steps were followed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus on an extraschedular basis, finding that the combined schedular ratings adequately capture the functional impact of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and thus grants a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an initial, compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 28, 2012, and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of recurrent ear infections is denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA's rating schedule.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no exceptional pattern of hearing impairment present.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and an unspecified anxiety disorder. Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims for high cholesterol, bilateral eye disorders, gastrointestinal disorder (including acid reflux), and skin disorder are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for his hearing. The claims for service connection and increased ratings for the mood disorder remain under consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disability, headaches, lower back disability, bilateral hip disability as secondary to the lower back disability, neck disability, and left knee disability. The appeal was dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal for the claim for entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active duty service and he is granted service connection for this condition.,There is no evidence of an in-service event or injury with regard to the Veteran's diagnosed right eye blindness. The claim for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide addendum opinions regarding the etiology of his hearing loss, left hand/wrist injury residuals, and diabetes mellitus. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.