Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU and his service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The effective date of the grant of service connection for CAD is being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The appeal of his diabetes mellitus claim has been withdrawn by the Veteran. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for medical examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and hearing loss. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was manifest during active service or within the first post-service year, and is not shown to have developed as a result of an established event, injury, or disease during active service. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service acoustic trauma, and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as an addendum opinion from the December 2011 VA examiner.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as Level III, resulting in a noncompensable rating.,His pseudofolliculitis barbae has not been shown to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable prior to February 21, 2014 and at a 10 percent rating from that date. The Board finds the current ratings are appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not due to noise exposure during his active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his hearing loss, as well as additional development of the claims file.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left ankle muscle sprains was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis of the ankle in plantar flexion at more than 40 degrees or in dorsiflexion at more than 10 degrees. The TDIU claim was also denied due to the Veteran's combined disability rating and his ability to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his service, including an in-service ear infection. The appeal will be returned to the Board after the examination.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, including as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss, due to additional development and consideration.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent since January 28, 2015. The evidence does not support a higher rating prior to April 6, 2010 and on or after April 6, 2010.

The Veteran was found to be unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, resulting in a TDIU being granted.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, while his otitis media is not considered incurred or aggravated by service.,Right ear hearing loss claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus conditions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is related to service and granted.,There is no evidence of a current disability for syncope, and the claim is denied.