Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his in-service hazardous noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for non-service-connected pension has been withdrawn.,The Board is remanding the issues of service connection for bilateral wrist disability, lower-back condition, sleep apnea disorder (to include as secondary to PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral knee condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims. The remaining issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions in his VA examinations and incomplete development of stressor allegations. The claims will be reconsidered after these issues are addressed.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as Social Security Administration disability benefits records.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied, and the case for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since September 16, 2009. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has decided that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as it has been more than four years since his last VA compensation and pension examination.

The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to new evidence received since the previous denial. The Veteran's hearing acuity was last tested in July 2014, and he testified that his hearing has significantly worsened since then.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for an updated examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for alcohol abuse, a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (schizoaffective disorder), and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The appeal for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is REMANDED.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education, training, and occupational experience since April 26, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of left little finger condition is denied. The claims for service connection for bilateral ankle conditions and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to February 27, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection for hypertension is remanded as the evidence does not establish whether it is related to service-connected conditions or due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability in many cases, or an in-service event that is related to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for hearing loss. The Board found that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his military service and resolved all doubt in favor of the Veteran. For hearing loss, the Board determined there was no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has decided that additional VA examinations are needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spine disorder.