Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss had its onset during service and is granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination for his hair loss disability. The remaining claims are also being remanded as the RO has not yet issued an SOC.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss since June 6, 2013 is being remanded due to the need for additional development including an updated VA audiometric examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The hypertension claim was denied as the current rating is appropriate, and the coronary artery disease prior to January 1, 2014 claim was denied due to lack of evidence meeting the criteria for a higher rating. The left ear hearing loss claim was denied as it does not meet the compensable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of a bilateral hearing loss disability should be December 30, 2013. This is based on evidence showing the Veteran's hearing loss began at least as early as January 2, 2003 and one year prior to the date of receipt of his application for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his service for bilateral hearing loss, and there is insufficient evidence linking any diagnosed eye conditions or psychiatric condition to his military service. As such, the claims are denied.

The VA determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as his hearing acuity is level III in each ear.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable since May 30, 2003. The most recent VA examination in October 2010 showed no improvement and still resulted in a noncompensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for additional VA clinical records and SSA records.

The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability has been granted, with a rating of 40 percent effective December 17, 2014. The appeal is now closed as the full benefit sought was granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 40 percent, the highest available rating under VA regulations. The claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD prior to May 17, 2014 was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral polyneuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are related to his service in Vietnam. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be etiologically related to his active duty service, with the Board giving him the benefit of the doubt. The claims for migraines and dizziness as secondary to a pre-existing condition are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric condition other than Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.

The Board found that the July 2009 rating decision did not contain clear and unmistakable error, as the correct facts were known at the time and the RO applied the relevant laws correctly.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be caused by noise exposure during service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and left lower extremity disability are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn. The Board dismissed the issue as it was not properly before them due to withdrawal.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are of sufficient severity to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation commensurate with his level of education and previous work experience.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) are found to preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his in-service noise exposure and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be established.