Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service connection based on direct evidence of a current disability and in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to April 2, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a diagnosis of tinnitus and her lay statements are credible, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. However, the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss requires additional examination and opinion as the March 2018 VA examiner's opinion was inadequate.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to address potential secondary service connection claims related to the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as their relationship to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 100% since January 28, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 100% since January 28, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 100% since January 28, 2019.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions and seeking outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability, sensorineural left ear hearing loss, and sensorineural right ear hearing loss due to incomplete information from VA examiners.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient audiometric data for a current evaluation of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The appeal is pending and requires additional information regarding the use of the Maryland CNC Word List in previous examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues of service connection for back disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and both feet disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the nature of the Veteran's service.

The Board found that the reduction from a 30 percent rating to a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss was proper, as evidenced by improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's appeal of the service connection for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed as he and his representative requested to withdraw the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence, which includes a lay statement from the Veteran detailing his in-service experience. The Board finds that there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence as to whether the Veteran has hearing loss as a result of acoustic trauma during active-duty service.

The Board has found duty to assist errors and remanded the cases for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back condition and remanded the hearing loss claim due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is due to noise exposure during active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

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

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's right ear hearing loss. The Veteran is seeking service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss, both of which have been granted. Service connection for right ear hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to service and remands for further action.