Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened, and the Board has found new and material evidence to support reopening. Service connection is granted for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, back disability, radiculopathy of the lower legs, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As such, TDIU is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a right shoulder disorder, and a bilateral knee disorder as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or their onset in service.,The Veteran was not granted any increased rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that a VA opinion should be obtained regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim due to potential conflicting medical literature and the possibility of delayed onset or gradual progression.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to in-service noise exposure. The claims for bilateral shin splint and right shoulder disability have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or association with service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal. The claim for tinnitus was granted in a previous decision.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied service connection for a bilateral lower extremity neurological disorder. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to be due to his active service, while the evidence does not support a finding that his bilateral lower extremity neurological disorder was incurred or aggravated by his service.

The Veteran's service-connected back condition, neuropathy, and hearing loss prevented him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment prior to October 7, 2019. The Board granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's status post ulnar nerve transposition with right carpal tunnel syndrome is granted a 70 percent disability rating.,An initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 22, 2022 is denied.,A disability rating in excess of 30 percent for the period from April 22, 2022 to May 25, 2022 for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,A disability rating in excess of 70 percent from May 25, 2022 for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to April 22, 2022, resulting in a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was denied as his audiometric testing did not show hearing loss that met the criteria for a compensable rating.

The appeal for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. An initial rating of 10 percent, but no higher, for old well-healed scar on the left knee is granted. The appeals for service connection for left knee and back disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for a VA examination. The Board has also decided to remand the claims of service connection for MSA, Parkinsonism with memory loss secondary to MSA, abducens nerve palsy secondary to MSA, autonomic disorder secondary to MSA, axonal neuropathy secondary to MSA, cognitive brain disorder secondary to MSA, cervical spine disability secondary to MSA, coordination/balance disorder secondary to MSA, dysphagic and choking secondary to MSA, fatty liver/pyelonephritis secondary to MSA, fracture rib disability secondary to coordination/balance disorder due to MSA, frontoparietal volume loss secondary to MSA, and hypertension (HTN) secondary to MSA. The claims are being remanded for further evidentiary development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The AOJ will readjudicate the issue taking into consideration all available evidence, including his National Guard and Army Reserve service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss in his left ear as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is manifested by a hearing level of 'II' in the right ear and 'III' in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6100.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and tinnitus, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment as of August 12, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely related to his military service due to exposure to loud noise during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an ear and/or headache condition, as secondary to his service-connected hearing loss and/or tinnitus has been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and headaches has been denied. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or in-service stressors.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.