Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 50 percent effective January 2, 2013. The appeal is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no probative evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 80 percent prior to August 1, 2012, and at 90 percent as of that date. The low back disability was rated at 40 percent. Both ratings were granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to his request for a Video Conference Hearing before the Board. The hearing has not been scheduled yet.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in April 2015.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for an amputation at the DIP joint of the right index finger was denied. The disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling under DC 5153, which pertains to amputations of the single index finger.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable from November 8, 2010, to August 7, 2014, and at a 10 percent evaluation since August 8, 2014. The Board finds that the current evaluations are adequate based on the medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying claimed medical treatment. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, foot disability, eye disability, and back disability will be reconsidered after all requested development is completed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 80 percent since February 26, 2014. The VA audiological examination showed significant impairment in both ears.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period of March 31, 2011 through December 10, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing documents and incomplete information regarding the Veteran's service records. The Veteran's hearing loss is being requested to be evaluated again for a determination of whether it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service and is granted.,Bilateral hearing loss was also found to be incurred in service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran asserts that his current hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma, but a VA audiologist determined it was less likely related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, have been denied. The Veteran was not provided with new and material evidence to reopen his left knee disorder claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's military noise exposure during service is considered, along with his testimony regarding the continuity of his hearing loss symptoms since soon after service, resulting in a finding of service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability is not shown to have been present in service or for many years thereafter, nor is it shown to be related to his military service. The preponderance of evidence is against the claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 30 percent since December 23, 2014. His left inguinal hernia disability was also rated at 10 percent since January 11, 2013.

The Board has determined that it is not factually ascertainable prior to January 4, 2008, that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone rendered him unable to work and thus an effective date earlier than January 4, 2008 for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability on an extraschedular basis cannot be assigned.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable, with no significant effects on employment. The most recent VA examination found the Veteran to have Level II hearing impairment in both ears.