Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for vertigo, TDIU, and Dependents' Educational Assistance were denied as there was no evidence of an increase in disability during the one year prior to his claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to readjudicate his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss because no new and relevant evidence was submitted, as all previously considered evidence has been before agency adjudicators.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, thus the Board dismissed all issues related to service connection for various disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and service connection claims have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

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

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals for heat exhaustion, musculoskeletal mid/lower back (thoracolumbar spine), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss because it was untimely. The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's report of in-service onset and continuity is credible.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was received, granting the request to readjudicate a claim for service connection for ear conditions including eustachian tube dysfunction, otitis externa, and bilateral hearing loss. The issue of service connection for these conditions is remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for acid reflux, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, residuals of left ankle fracture, and urinary incontinence secondary to a psychiatric disorder. The other claims remain denied as new evidence does not relate to these issues.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability due to in-service noise exposure. The VA examiners provided opinions against the claim based on the lack of significant threshold shifts between enlistment and separation audiograms.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being remanded.,An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral knee degenerative arthritis and limitation of extension of the left and right knee is not warranted.,An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss that meets VA criteria. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted as the evidence supports a finding of in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability is manifested by hearing acuity no worse than Level III in each ear, resulting in a 0 percent rating. For the remaining issues on appeal, including left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, liver disability, thyroid disability, low back disability, and face spasms, the Board found that pre-decisional duty to assist errors were made and remanded for further action.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 10, 2001 for the award of a TDIU and established basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Board has determined that the reduction in disability rating from 40% to 30% for bilateral hearing loss is proper and an increased rating for hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's tic condition is granted a maximum 30 percent rating effective June 24, 2019. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of June 1, 2015 for the grant of a TDIU and basic eligibility to DEA benefits. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of that date.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and occupational experience during the period on appeal prior to May 13, 2016.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss from August 24, 2016, as the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet criteria for a compensable (higher) rating.