Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was reduced from 20% to 10%, effective May 1, 2014. The claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, finding that no new claims were filed before July 31, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his military service.,The Board also denied service connection for tinnitus, noting that it did not manifest until many years after service and there was no evidence of continuity of symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand three claims: bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of a broken finger of the right hand. The Veteran's service connection requests are being sent back for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his hearing loss warranted a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss but granted service connection for left ear hearing loss. The decision is based on the Veteran's noise exposure during service and current hearing loss.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted service connection. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his fracture right clavicle disability and the issues related to PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU are remanded.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and coronary artery disease, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record, including a lack of separation audiograms. The Veteran is not presumed to have had preexisting left ear hearing loss at entry into service, but his right ear hearing loss may be related to active duty service as a cannon crewman.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for left ear hearing loss due to potential soundness presumption issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in his STRs, including a lack of STRs and an incomplete VA examination. The AOJ must continue efforts to obtain the Veteran’s records and provide him with adequate examinations.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his hearing levels have not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted, but the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a need for additional examination.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hernia issues, stomach ulcers, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) were denied as new and material evidence was not received within one year of the final October 2016 rating decisions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran’s representative withdrawing all issues except for those related to coronary artery disease, TDIU, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded multiple issues including service connection claims, rating determinations for hearing loss and tinnitus, and the reopening of previously denied claims. The appeals are pending and will be addressed in a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including osteoarthritis in multiple joints and other conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining SSA records and VA examinations for various conditions.