Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected hernia scar is not rated as compensable, but his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been established based on in-service noise exposure. Service connection for tinnitus was denied due to the examiner's finding that it was less likely than not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by service, and therefore grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate addendum medical opinions and a need for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service due to noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. For PTSD, the initial rating in excess of 30 percent prior to March 7, 2017, and an initial 50 percent rating from March 7, 2017 to June 24, 2018 were granted; however, a higher initial 70 percent rating was granted starting July 24, 2018.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from December 9, 2011 due to his service-connected disabilities. The effective date for this TDIU determination is set at July 17, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but denied service connection for low back disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted service connection. The left ankle disability, hypertension, bilateral foot disability, respiratory disorder, and bilateral eye disorder claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for a right hand disability, bilateral ankle disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings on an extraschedular basis or under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss in the left ear is granted with a rating of 40 percent effective December 23, 2022. Prior to that date, he was denied an initial compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye disability and increased rating claims for right rotator cuff repair with chronic tendinitis, right knee patellofemoral pain, and left knee patellofemoral degenerative joint disease due to deficiencies in the examination reports.

The appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 12, 2010 and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter is dismissed. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective from October 31, 2008.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by hearing acuity of no worse than Level II in the left ear and Level II in the right ear, which equates to a 0 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 6100. The Board finds that the criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are not met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA opinions and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding it related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for such a rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection and increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left knee disability, right wrist condition, and left wrist condition due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to obtain a VA opinion as instructed in an earlier remand. The Veteran's hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service.