Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating than 20 percent.

The Board granted service connection for hypothyroidism due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also granted as they are associated with in-service acoustic trauma, though the VA examiner did not concur.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability, an acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD), and bilateral hearing loss due to potential issues with the sufficiency of evidence regarding the onset and relationship to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion in a previous VA examination, and it is unclear if service connection can be granted for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, tinnitus, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for prostate cancer and TDIU was denied. The prostate cancer residuals are rated at 60 percent, the maximum allowed under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and retinitis pigmentosa due to incomplete records and a need for an addendum opinion from an ophthalmologist.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA addendum opinion regarding the cause of death. The Veteran's cause of death is being reviewed to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused by exposure to diesel and gasoline fumes in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate consideration of a 2005 Institute of Medicine report in their decision denying service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with new evidence and an updated medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and hypertension was granted. The right ear hearing loss claim was denied.

Your claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted, but the effective date is not yet determined. The Board dismissed your appeal as there was no longer a case or controversy.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss disability, sinusitis, and ear infections are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU prior to April 3, 2017. The Board finds that the Veteran may have been unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to psychiatric symptomatology and hearing loss. However, the criteria for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) are not met. Therefore, the case is remanded for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for COPD was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim prior to a decision.,Service connection for tinnitus and vertigo were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. Bilateral hearing loss is remanded, and any acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is also remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current diagnosed condition is at least as likely as not related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension due to insufficient evidence addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted as new and material evidence has been received, and the Board finds that his current hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability in either ear.