Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a current examination for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability and to determine if referral for extra-schedular evaluation based on the collective impact of his disabilities is necessary.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after obtaining an addendum medical opinion and any additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as the evidence shows exposure to acoustic trauma during service and current symptoms. Service connection for tinnitus is denied as there are no current symptoms reported by the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of hepatitis and denied his claim for service connection. For bilateral hearing loss, the Board determined there is no evidence of a compensable rating based on the audiometric test results provided.

The Board found that the Veteran's otosclerosis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were not service-connected as they did not meet the criteria for service connection. The evidence showed no in-service aggravation or additional injury to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not have onset in active military service and was not caused or permanently aggravated by his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diminished sense of smell and loss of taste are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence showing a connection between the Veteran's current hearing loss disability and his military service.

The Veteran's seizure disorder is found to have its onset during a period of ACDUTRA, and service connection for this condition is granted.,Right ear hearing loss was also found to have its onset during a period of ACDUTRA, and service connection for this condition is granted.,Service connection for residuals of a right ear injury cannot be established as the Veteran does not have evidence of such an injury.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and assigned a noncompensable rating. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as Level I impairment, which corresponds to a noncompensable evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, effective October 10, 2007. He also received a TDIU rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and acoustic trauma, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for left ear hearing loss, acute urethritis, bilateral ear disability, nervous disorder, or dental disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since September 29, 2011. The VA audiologists found that the Veteran had no worse than Level I hearing loss in both ears and did not have an exceptional pattern of hearing loss at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, but there is no evidence of tinnitus during or after service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by his active military service, including conceded in-service noise exposure. The VA examiner concluded that the current conditions are less likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiogram examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting left ear hearing loss disability did not worsen during service and denied his claim for service connection. The Board also found no right ear hearing loss disability or tinnitus related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and chronic tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service. The Board also noted that the Veteran did not have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes at any time.