Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Travel Board hearing for the issue of entitlement to a compensable initial evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues are related and will be addressed after the hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as non-compensable, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a claim prior to June 18, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss resulted in a current initial rating of 20 percent for the period since October 23, 2014. The Board found that this rating is appropriate based on audiometric test results.

The Veteran does not have a left leg disability that is related to his military service or caused by a service-connected condition.,The Veteran does not have a neck disability that is related to his military service or caused by a service-connected condition.,The Veteran does not have right ear hearing loss that is related to his military service.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is diagnosed with PTSD that is attributed to military sexual trauma experienced during service. Service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for tinnitus, secondary to left ear hearing loss, is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hearing loss have been denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service.,The Veteran does not have right ear hearing loss of such severity to qualify as a disability for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence, particularly regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and right knee disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has determined that a compensable rating of 10 percent is warranted for bilateral hearing loss beginning December 10, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, conduct VA examinations for his hearing loss and tinnitus claims, and determine the nature of his left knee disorder. The claim will be further reviewed after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's testimony regarding his in-service hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his shoulder injuries, is sufficient to establish service connection. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and pes planus are granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for the service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn prior to a decision by the Board.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service and has been granted.,The Veteran's hearing loss disability did not manifest in service, within one year of service, and is unrelated to service. The claim for a hearing loss disability is denied.,There is no evidence of head and facial scarring due to service. The claim for head and facial scarring is denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to his service, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus. The issue of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service acoustic trauma. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims have been denied. The maximum schedular rating available for tinnitus is already assigned, so no higher rating can be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of such during service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's service discharge examination did not show any hearing loss or tinnitus, and his testimony regarding noise exposure and continuity of symptoms since service is deemed less credible given the lack of contemporaneous records supporting these claims.