Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions had onset during active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service stressors.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted due to continuity of symptoms since active service and the presumption of soundness at entry.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable (0 percent) since January 29, 2021. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not have these conditions during or within one year after service discharge, and there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or other causation.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes.,Left ear hearing loss is granted as the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether it had its onset during service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a disability meeting VA standards.,For shin splints of the right and left lower extremities, the Board finds that the current rating of 10% under Diagnostic Code 5262 is appropriate given the Veteran's symptoms are unresponsive to conservative treatment but do not warrant an increase in evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of July 12, 2013 for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted. The TDIU was granted due to his service-connected migraine headache and left ear hearing loss disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim.,The Veteran's prior to October 21, 2019, bilateral hearing loss was denied as not compensable.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss since October 21, 2019, is remanded and will be evaluated again.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence regarding the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected conditions on his employability. The Veteran is currently service connected for PTSD, right hip injuries, diabetes mellitus, type II, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an additional medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically addressing his contention about the Kujawa study.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connection due to noise exposure during active duty, with the Board finding that his current disability is related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU prior to September 30, 2011. The Board also found that he is entitled to initial ratings greater than 20 percent for his left knee disability and greater than 10 percent for his right knee disability prior to September 30, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, has rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment since March 2, 2020. As a result, the Board granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder appeal was dismissed due to withdrawal of the claim.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted, with evidence indicating it started in service and continued.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or due to being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, finding that the combined evaluation of his conditions did not meet the criteria for a schedular TDIU. The evidence showed he was capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment due to his work history and current ability to live independently.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hearing loss is denied as he does not have a diagnosed disability.,Service connection for IBS is also denied, as the Veteran has no current diagnosis of this condition.