Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss was aggravated by his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The Veteran's claims are supported by medical evidence showing current diagnoses of these conditions and a link between them and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a 10% disability rating, effective from January 2010.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not shown to meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as it does not exceed Level I in either ear. The Board finds that he is not entitled to a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold criteria for a TDIU as his combined disability rating is only 60 percent, which does not exceed the required percentage of 60 percent or more. The Board finds that he does not meet the eligibility requirements for a schedular TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability is as likely as not due to his exposure to very loud noise during active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not supported by credible evidence and thus, these claims have been denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period. The VA examinations have shown some fluctuations in his puretone thresholds, but they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for recurrent tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and inactive pulmonary tuberculosis with bronchitis is denied as the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent for recurrent tinnitus has been assigned.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability has been evaluated as noncompensable due to the absence of a right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and the lack of exceptional patterns of hearing impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate examinations to address his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a liver disability (including hepatitis C and cirrhosis), and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disorders, left knee disorders, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD with depressive disorder NOS and alcohol use disorder as of June 17, 2015. The Veteran's symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment due to deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's combined disability rating has been at least 80 percent throughout the pendency of the claim, and he has met the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating. The appeal as to higher ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome and bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for visual impairment and hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for VA examinations and to retrieve any pertinent outpatient records. The claims will be re-adjudicated after these actions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, anxiety disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, patellofemoral syndrome of the knees, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and headaches. The appeals were decided as denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to noise exposure during active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable under the applicable rating criteria. The Board finds no basis to grant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.