Hearing loss decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective March 25, 2014. His hearing loss remains noncompensable.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is likely related to noise exposure during his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service diving injury and noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current hearing loss disability was incurred during his military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection, initial compensable rating, and increased rating for hearing loss and PTSD due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for left ear hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,PTSD service connection and increased rating were granted with an effective date of October 12, 2015.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination to determine if there is a medical nexus between in-service incidents and current diagnoses.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable prior to May 28, 2014 and as 50 percent disabling thereafter. The Veteran's epiphora (dry eyes) claim has been remanded for further development.,A rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral hearing loss beginning May 28, 2014 and thereafter is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for right ear hearing loss, right and left carpal tunnel syndrome due to in-service noise exposure and repetitive use during military service. The Veteran needs to provide updated VA treatment records and undergo further examinations by a clinician who will determine if his conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete information regarding his SSA income. The Board will verify the amount of his SSA benefits and request that he submit EVR and Medical Expense Reports for the specified period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded for further evaluation due to inconsistencies in his statements regarding the onset of his hearing problems and the need for a supplemental medical opinion.

The Veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The Board has determined that the Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that low testosterone is not a compensable disability, the anxiety disorder does not meet criteria for a higher rating, the back disability did not warrant an increase to 100%, headaches do not meet criteria for a higher rating, bilateral hearing loss was rated appropriately, and hypertension did not warrant an increase.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current disability and his military service or service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board. The VA found that his hearing acuity did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on audiometric testing results.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for VA compensation purposes, as defined by regulation. Therefore, his claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability in either ear, and the VA examiner found no nexus between his current disabilities and active service.,Service connection for tinnitus has also been denied due to lack of continuity of symptomatology since service. The Veteran's own inconsistent statements regarding when he first experienced tinnitus have not provided sufficient credibility for finding continuity of symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability due to a lack of VA examination records from the Veteran's second period of Reserve service. The AOJ must obtain these records, schedule the Veteran for an in-person examination, and provide opinions on whether it is at least as likely as not that the conditions are related to his military service.