Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has found an error in not obtaining all of the Veteran's VA treatment records, including those from August 2020. As a result, the case is being remanded for further development and readjudication.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his auditory acuity levels did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for major depressive disorder, a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss, and entitlement to TDIU have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but the rating for his bilateral hearing loss needs to be remanded due to lack of recent VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, due to exposure to herbicides is granted. The Board finds the Veteran had service in Korea near the DMZ and was exposed to herbicide agents during his active duty.

The Veteran's service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,Service connection for headaches secondary to TBI is granted, but the issue of service connection for fatigue is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for VA compensation purposes in relation to his claimed conditions, and thus service connection is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of 0% for bilateral hearing loss, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions are inextricably intertwined with his service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 20 percent, and the Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating based on current medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 50% and increased to 70% effective February 10, 2022. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was denied prior to August 2, 2021, but granted a 10% rating from that date forward.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating determinations due to incomplete development. The hearing loss claim is denied, while the remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim has been granted, but his hearing loss claim is still pending and needs to be remanded for further examination.,The Board found the Veteran competent to report experiencing tinnitus since service. However, the VA examiner concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between current bilateral hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 1, 2017 was denied as he had been employed and the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The claim for DEA benefits prior to November 1, 2017 was also denied due to lack of employment history provided by the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, including as secondary to his service-connected hearing loss and/or tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, anxiety disorder, type II diabetes mellitus with retinopathy, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and has remanded the remaining claims of service connection for various disabilities. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA records, as well as obtain relevant Federal records from USPS and OPM.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,His erectile dysfunction claim remains pending and will be remanded for further examination and opinion.,Bilateral hearing loss is also pending and will be remanded.