Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted an effective date of January 30, 2010 for the award of TDIU and a rating of 70% for lumbosacral strain. The earlier effective dates for right lower extremity radiculopathy are also granted.

The Veteran's bilateral mixed hearing loss with postoperative residuals of otosclerosis in the right ear is currently rated at 50 percent effective from December 12, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining clarification from the provider of audiograms and arranging a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The February 1978 rating decision denying these claims is final.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated and found to be noncompensable throughout the appeal period based on current audiometric test results.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied the remaining issues on appeal. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded due to inadequate etiology opinion, while his obstructive sleep apnea, knee disabilities, and status post septoplasty and turbinectomy claims are also remanded.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as the current VA examiner's opinion is inadequate. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service. The pulmonary disorder is not currently determined to be related to his active service, but may be due to herbicide exposure in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, right leg radiculopathy, and left leg radiculopathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of hearing loss, chest condition, left foot condition, and migraines prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, notifying the Social Security Administration (SSA), and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death, and the Board finds that it was a principal cause of death.,PTSD is rated at 50 percent under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorder. No higher schedular rating is available.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable prior to August 29, 2012 and on and after that date. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted, and his Gilbert's Syndrome with irritable bowel syndrome is rated at its highest possible evaluation of 100 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was granted, with the effective date set at March 17, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no current evidence of the required hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have its onset during active service, and the Board granted his claim for service connection. The hearing loss claim is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of his hearing loss in terms of occupational functioning and daily activities.

The Veteran's hearing loss and headaches have been rated based on their severity, but the appeals for higher ratings are denied.