Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in at least approximate balance as to whether these conditions are related to service exposure to hazardous noise. The appeal was granted.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a significant threshold shift or aggravation during active service.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and left knee disorder, finding that the Veteran does not have current hearing or knee disabilities for VA purposes.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II. The case is remanded for a new VA examination to determine if his bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence showing his hearing condition worsened beyond the results provided in the VA examinations conducted.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 0 percent since September 18, 2013. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating and denied the claim for an increased disability rating.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss prior to January 29, 2018 is denied as it did not meet the criteria for a disability.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss prior to January 29, 2018 is denied as it did not meet the criteria for a disability.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss as of January 29, 2018 requires further examination and evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss on a presumptive basis due to noise exposure during service, finding that the Veteran had continuous symptoms of hearing loss since service separation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, insomnia disorder, right ankle and knee disorders, and hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of February 11, 2021. The Board finds the evidence insufficient to determine his unemployability prior to that date.

The Veteran's request for an increased rating for the residuals of a left distal scaphoid fracture and a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, including obtaining audiogram results and clarifying test methods. The Veteran is also requested to provide authorization for VA to obtain relevant medical records from his March 2018 audiologist.

The Veteran withdrew his service connection claims for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and claustrophobia.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are granted as presumptively related to service due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and chronic headaches due to incomplete VA records and insufficient consideration of recent treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a hearing loss disability during service or within one year following discharge, and the most probative evidence indicates that his current hearing loss is not related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, back disability, calcification of the wrists, and left thigh disability.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and to conduct further research regarding his claimed in-service noise exposure. The claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete medical records, lack of a nexus opinion, and need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear sensorineural hearing loss and denied a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss. The decision also found that the case does not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture to warrant referral for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete records and need for valid audiometric test results.