Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected renal cell carcinoma is granted, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as non-compensably (zero percent) disabling since December 2009. The Board finds that the criteria for a compensable disability rating have not been met at any point during the relevant time period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current right ear hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain clarifying medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as to ensure all relevant development actions have been conducted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no current evidence of these conditions meeting VA criteria. The Veteran also failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and multiple myeloma, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's hearing loss has not worsened since July 27, 2012, and therefore a higher rating is not warranted.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to a lack of adequate reasons or bases regarding his lay statements, as well as the rejection of his claim that he was diagnosed with hearing loss during post-service employment physicals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin cancer is at least as likely as not caused by his military service, including sun exposure. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cold injury residuals of the bilateral lower extremities have been denied.

The Veteran's overall combined disability rating is 40 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is found to be caused by his active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, bronchitis, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for hearing loss of the right ear. The appeals are dismissed.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated, including obtaining SSA records and VA examinations for the Veteran's back disorder, right shoulder disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and headache disorder.

The Veteran's hearing loss is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as he has reported worsening since the last examination. The appeal will be adjudicated again after this additional development.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current disability of bilateral hearing loss and that this condition is related to service, as evidenced by noise exposure during his military service. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support these claims based on in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy was withdrawn. The initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss were denied as the evidence did not show that his hearing acuity met the schedular criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to December 8, 2011 and from December 8, 2011 onwards. The issue of TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis with degenerative joint disease (DJD) is denied. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the Veteran's range of motion was limited by pain, weakened movement, and flares upon repetition.