Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore cannot establish service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the rating period on appeal. The VA audiological examinations have consistently shown level IV hearing impairment in the right ear, which does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant, through his authorized representative, requesting withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as Level I in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and adjustment disorder) is addressed separately.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and reopened the claims for right ear hearing loss and infections, but found that there was no causal relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran was exposed to noise during service and has experienced symptoms of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus continuously since separation from service. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is attributable to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is manifested by no worse than a Level II hearing acuity in his right ear and a Level III hearing acuity in his left ear, with no exceptional hearing loss pattern in either ear. The criteria for an initial compensable evaluation are not met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and rescan of service treatment records. The case will be readjudicated to determine if the Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

Your claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss has been granted, and you are now receiving a 10% disability rating effective January 23, 2015.

The case is being remanded for additional development due to new evidence and potential clarification on the Veteran's hearing at a previously scheduled Board hearing.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to November 18, 2014 for the 20 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is not warranted. The Veteran's claim was received on November 18, 2014 and he did not submit a substantive appeal within 60 days of receiving the statement of the case in November 2013. Therefore, the effective date remains at November 18, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a torn left bicep disability, but denied the Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss and other disabilities. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The preponderance of evidence shows that his bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year after service, and is not causally related to noise exposure in service.

The Board has granted a 100% schedular rating for schizoaffective disorder and entitlement to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits since October 18, 2001. The effective date of service connection for the psychiatric disability is also set at this date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss, finding no current disability in either case. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the Board finds no evidence of a current right rib disability. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left ankle DJD are established, but not service connected. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities remains pending.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and varicose veins of the left leg. As a result, these claims are dismissed.