Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable prior to November 30, 2009. Since then, it has been rated at 10 percent since that date.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn regarding the claims of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for the lumbar strain and entitlement to an effective date prior to January 8, 2008 for the award of the increased 40 percent rating for the lumbar strain. The Board also found that his allergic rhinitis did not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation since March 10, 2006, and his bilateral hearing loss was not compensably rated at any time during this period.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration of his service-connected disabilities in combination, not just individually.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination to assess his PTSD and a VA audiological examination to determine any bilateral hearing impairment. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss, right knee, or left knee disabilities. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining missing service treatment records and determining if the Veteran meets eligibility requirements for dental treatment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability was withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision. The issue of hypertension is being remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional VA treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability pre-existed service and was not aggravated by military service. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal by the appellant.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination to assess his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disability and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a current diagnosis of asbestosis. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee arthritis, finding that it is as likely as not related to active duty service. The other conditions were either not shown within one year of separation or are not otherwise related to service.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the December 17, 1993 rating decision denying service connection for defective hearing. The Veteran's claim of earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence showing that his entitlement to this benefit arose prior to June 2004.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to June 26, 2012 and 30 percent from that date.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted, and a noncompensable rating was assigned from September 10, 2007 to March 26, 2012. The claim for an increased rating was granted with a 20 percent disability rating effective since March 27, 2012.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and migraine headaches. The claim for a back disorder is being remanded.