Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, status-post discectomy and laminectomy with herniated nucleus pulposus at L4-5, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were denied as there is no legal basis upon which to award separate schedular ratings for each ear or a higher schedular rating for tinnitus.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it, finding that the Veteran's account of having hearing loss since his military service is credible and resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be etiologically related to his active service, and the Board has determined that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the possibility that his service-connected bilateral hearing loss may have worsened since his last VA examination in April 2013. The case will be returned to the Board after a new rating decision is made based on the results of the requested audiometric evaluation.

The Board denied an extraschedular rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's disability level was adequately addressed by the existing schedular criteria and did not meet the requirements for an extraschedular evaluation due to lack of frequent hospitalizations or marked interference in employment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and initial compensable rating for hearing loss in both ears was denied. The Board found no right ear hearing loss for VA purposes, and the left ear hearing loss did not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss based on exposure to loud noise during service and the Veteran's continuous symptoms since separation.

The Board finds that the Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and therefore, does not meet the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for additional development, including an interpretation of a pre-induction audiogram. The case will be returned to the Board after further adjudication.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain the Veteran's audiological examination from his discharge evaluation, which is believed to contain information necessary for an opinion on whether his right ear hearing loss began during service or is related to any incident of service. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's appeal for right knee disability was withdrawn. The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and rib disorder did not originate during active service, active duty, or active duty for training. The Veteran's left fourth finger disorder and head injury residuals are also denied as there is no evidence of their onset in service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, and he is now rated at 40 percent from January 27, 2012. The claim for service connection for prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure was also granted as the disease is presumptively associated with such exposure under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The hearing loss claim was not granted, the wrist disability and wrist scar claims resulted in noncompensable ratings, and the ankle condition claims remained denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and erectile dysfunction, finding that there is no evidence of penis deformity with loss of erectile power.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine prior to December 5, 2012 was granted. However, he is not entitled to a higher rating after that date. His bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as compensable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran currently has bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which are related to his service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for new examinations and additional records. The issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to service connection for tinnitus are on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, gastroparesis, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy in both legs and arms, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that TDIU is warranted.