Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss claim is denied as he does not have a current disability for VA purposes.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted based on credible lay testimony and the examiner's opinion that military service likely contributed to acoustic trauma.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss claim remains denied as his disability level does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in January 2014.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran currently experiences bilateral hearing loss, which is related to his in-service exposure to significant acoustic trauma during active service, including combat in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's audiometric examination corresponds to no more than a level XI for the left ear, and therefore, his claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for left ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of any current vertigo and its relationship to service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus. Additionally, an audiological examination is needed to ascertain the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the AOJ after the hearing is conducted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is as likely as not related to his active military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate to determine the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and has ordered an additional examination.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was evaluated as Level XI, which corresponds to a 10 percent disability rating under the VA Rating Schedule. The Board found that this level of impairment did not warrant an increased schedular rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, tricompartmental osteoarthritis of the left knee with a degenerative meniscal tear, and degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The cervical spine disability claim is dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The right knee disorder claim is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran has bilateral hearing loss that is likely related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened. The VA examiner found that the current hearing loss was less likely than not related to military noise exposure, while a private audiologist opined it was at least as likely as not caused by noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to a higher initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for tinnitus. The appeal regarding service connection for a back disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss of the right ear. The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability had its onset in service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 40 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted. The claim for service connection for depression secondary to his hearing loss was also denied.