Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and left wrist shell fragment wound, resulted from a common etiology of combat injuries. His combined disability rating is 60%, meeting the schedular threshold for a TDIU. However, he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. A new VA examination is needed to determine if his hearing loss began during service, was present within one year after discharge, or is related to noise exposure in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and right shoulder disorder due to a lack of VA examination related to her right shoulder condition. The Veteran is also requested to provide any outstanding private or VA treatment records relevant to her claim.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and service connection have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are due to noise exposure during active service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms post-service. The Veteran's current conditions are not linked to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability and denied his claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, while her claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome as secondary to generalized anxiety disorder was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to inadequate previous VA examinations and the need for a new evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disorder, right shoulder disorder, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and his military service. The Board noted that while the Veteran reported noise exposure during service, he did not seek treatment for hearing loss until after separation from service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of hearing loss due to lack of evidence meeting VA disability criteria.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and his PTSD with secondary alcohol use disorder was granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent from February 13, 2009, to March 10, 2011. The Board has remanded the issues regarding service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and colon cancer (secondary to herbicide exposure).

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and right ear tinnitus, but granted service connection for left ear tinnitus. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not considered to be related to military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection can be decided. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to allow for consideration of all evidence, including VA treatment records.

The Board has found that further evidentiary development is required before the claims on appeal can be adjudicated, including a new VA examination for bilateral hearing loss and consideration of TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as of July 30, 2019 due to his service-connected major depressive disorder rated at 100%.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for heart condition, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss. The appellant's claims are pending as they relate to accrued benefits.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disabilities are related to hazardous noise exposure during service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.