Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 10 percent from August 13, 2019 onwards. The Board denied an increased rating prior to this date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected left ear hearing loss. The issues of increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative joint disease, slap lesion and partial thickness tear supraspinatus tendon right shoulder, and eczema, as well as his claims for service connection for tinnitus, a left wrist disorder, and a right elbow disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 11, 2016.

The Board has determined that the criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to August 26, 2015, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter have not been met. The claim for service connection for a back disability is being remanded due to new evidence received since the final June 2011 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is of service origin and granted service connection for this condition.

The appeal is being remanded for the RO to consider additional evidence and list specific dates of each four-hour drill/training session in 2011. The benefits sought remain denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted. The Veteran's lupus erythematous disability remains under evaluation due to insufficient information regarding its impact on other bodily systems.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions.

The Board has decided the TDIU claim and remanded the service connection for cause of death. The TDIU is granted due to multiple service-connected disabilities rendering the Veteran unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. Service connection for cause of death remains pending as additional development is needed, including obtaining a nexus opinion on whether gallbladder cancer was caused by exposures at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. However, further development is required before a decision can be reached on the merits of the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, and PTSD with major depressive disorder have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. A TDIU is granted from September 29, 2008 to February 17, 2021.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating of his bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to evidence suggesting an increase in severity since the last examination. The VA examiner will need to review the Veteran's testimony about 'hidden hearing loss' and assess its relevance.

The Veteran's hearing loss rating was reduced from 80% to 50%, effective July 1, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not show an actual improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work at the time of the reduction, so the 80% rating is restored.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a bilateral knee disability are all granted. The Board found that the evidence supported these claims based on in-service noise exposure leading to current disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, lower back condition, right shoulder condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition. The case is therefore being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip arthritis and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is remanded for respiratory and lung condition (COPD).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current level of disability does not warrant a compensable rating.,A higher 20% rating was granted for the Veteran's bilateral dry eye syndrome, which is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA examinations. Additional development is needed, including obtaining medical opinions that consider the Veteran's service exposure and any pre-existing conditions.