Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case to refer the issue of an extraschedular rating for bilateral hearing loss to the Under Secretary for Benefits or the Director of the Compensation and Pension Service.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss disability. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service, and therefore, the claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including exposure to loud noise during combat in Vietnam. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge via video conference due to his request.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 30 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been granted. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for PTSD, but the Board finds that a higher rating of 30 percent is warranted based on his symptoms and impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's schedular evaluation criteria. The evidence of record does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine its etiology, as the previous opinion was based on incomplete information.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, but his bilateral knee disorder is not. The claim for a bilateral knee disorder is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran is competent to report experiencing ringing in his ears since service. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss on an extraschedular basis, including as to the collective impact of multiple service-connected disabilities. The case is being referred to the Director in Compensation Service for consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss disability is currently manifested by no more than Level II hearing acuity, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a compensable schedular rating for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to contribute to his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, which are causally linked to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities for the period from April 15, 2007, to March 30, 2010.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. The case will be remanded for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his hearing loss was incurred during active service. The appeal regarding hepatitis was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not incurred during his active service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and assigned initial non-compensable ratings to his right trapezius muscle strain, lateral femoral cutaneous nerve dysfunction of the right lower extremity, lateral femoral cutaneous nerve dysfunction of the left lower extremity, and eczema of the lateral calves and heels.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and PTSD. The remaining issues require additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.