Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of proper medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 30% under the rating schedule, which does not meet his claim for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss began during active military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development and consideration of evidence, including a private medical opinion from June 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right leg disorder, specifically gastrocnemius strain, is related to stress during in-service training events and granted service connection for this condition. However, there is no evidence of a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion and updated records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is now pending.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review these issues.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, including obtaining additional evidence and an examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on the impact of all service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The TDIU issue is also being addressed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss, cervical spine disability, a skin disorder of the face and chin, bilateral knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for eczema of the feet was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and for a VA examination. The issues of service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disorder, and right ankle disorder are on appeal.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was granted at 10 percent prior to October 15, 2013. From and after October 15, 2013, the Veteran is entitled to a 20 percent evaluation.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The claim for a higher rating for left thumb disability was remanded, and TDIU benefits were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinea pedis. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is presumed to have been aggravated by his military service. Tinea pedis was not shown to be related to any disease or injury in service.,Service connection was established for the following conditions: left knee/leg disorders (claimed as arthritis of the left knee and left leg), right knee/leg disorders, bilateral foot disorders, and tinea pedis.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for headaches, an extraschedular rating based upon the combined effects of multiple service-connected disabilities, and a TDIU due to his chronic headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C, and plantar calcaneal heel spurs were denied. The Veteran was granted a compensable rating (level II) for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing audiogram results from March 2015.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 50 percent effective February 21, 2013. This rating is based on the severity of his hearing impairment as determined by VA audiometric evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated at 40 percent prior to July 1, 2016 and increased to 50 percent thereafter. No higher ratings are warranted.