Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's OSA was not incurred in service and is denied.,The Veteran's left thumb disability, characterized as pain, does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.,The Veteran's bilateral high-frequency hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent.,Service connection for dry eye syndrome and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have been incurred during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the VA Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT) decision denying eligibility for PCAFC benefits was inadequate, and thus remanded for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss on a direct basis, finding that his current condition is at least as likely as not caused by exposure to in-service hazardous noise.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a grant of TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service, and thus grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of hearing loss due to inconsistencies in audiometric test results and need for clarification on etiology.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea claim is denied, and the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left inguinal hernia with hernia repair, low back strain, and right shoulder injury as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for liver cancer and a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the failure to obtain VA treatment records from approximately 1970.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability is granted, and he is assigned a 60 percent rating as of February 29, 2016. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating.,For TDIU, the Veteran has a combined evaluation of 40 percent with two service-connected conditions. The Board found that his disabilities did not render him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asbestos exposure, hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of sufficient information in the record to make informed decisions on these issues.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left hand peripheral neuropathy, and right hand peripheral neuropathy. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining private medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable initial rating for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to incomplete medical records. The issue of service connection for cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities has been resolved as he was granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for right ear hearing loss, including a need for a VA opinion regarding whether pre-existing hearing loss increased in severity during service and if so, whether it was clearly and unmistakably due to natural progression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not service-connected as it did not manifest during or within one year after his military service, and there is no evidence linking the condition to any in-service noise exposure. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's hearing loss was less likely caused by military service.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as incurred in service due to noise exposure. However, there is insufficient evidence of tinnitus during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy and diabetes mellitus, type 2, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to July 19, 2017. The Board granted TDIU for this period.