Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's hearing loss was found to be at its worst level I in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board determined that the current level of disability did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his audiometric results have consistently shown Level II hearing acuity in both ears, warranting a noncompensable (0%) disability evaluation.

The Board has decided that additional VA treatment records, specifically the February 2005 audiological examination report, are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, dizziness and vertigo, a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 20, 2011, and entitlement to TDIU. The Veteran's claim for increased rating of his hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's tension-type headaches are rated at 10 percent, effective August 1, 2009.,Service connection for a deviated nasal septum is established.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to lack of a current disability, but granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as they are considered to be due to a preexisting condition.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss did not meet the criteria for higher ratings from May 11, 2009 through August 27, 2012. From August 28, 2012, his bilateral hearing impairment met the criteria for a 40 percent disability rating.

The Board found no evidence of a link between the Veteran's active duty service and his current bilateral hearing loss, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The remaining issues on appeal are addressed below.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the hearing loss being granted on a direct basis due to noise exposure in service. Tinnitus is presumed based on the presence of high frequency hearing loss during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted, while the claim for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss has been withdrawn.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbosacral disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus in the right ear are not related to service. The Board also determined that spina bifida is a congenital defect and therefore not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide the Veteran with a VA examination. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of prostate cancer, and TDIU are inextricably intertwined and must be addressed together.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus based on the Veteran's credible reports of in-service noise exposure and his current symptoms. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds as such, his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 80 percent, and the Board has granted a TDIU as of December 1, 2009.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and whether it is related to service. The Veteran will be provided a new examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no credible, probative evidence of a nexus between his in-service noise exposure and current disabilities.