Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure and that any pre-existing hearing loss did not increase in severity during service. The Board also found clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's left side hearing loss disability existed prior to service.

The Board has dismissed all issues of entitlement to service connection as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current hearing loss is not related to his active duty service. The Board found that the evidence did not show a threshold shift in his hearing during service and there were no post-service clinical evidence of hearing loss until more than 39 years after his separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome were denied. The appeals for hearing loss, actinic keratosis (prior to August 20, 2018), and actinic keratosis (since August 20, 2018) are all denied.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, generalized anxiety disorder, and a higher rating for his right nephrectomy were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the disability is currently rated at zero percent, which is noncompensable. The VA audiology examination results showed level I hearing in both ears.

The Board has denied service connection for a left foot disability, glaucoma, and a left knee disability. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, gastrointestinal disability, headaches (claimed as head trauma), and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has found that a remand is warranted for the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and initial compensable disability ratings for residuals of prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's claims will be addressed again with new evidence and examinations.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of service connection claims for various conditions as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the passage of time and possible changes in his hearing acuity since the last VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's exposure to noise during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right and left knee replacements, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right forefoot arthritis, rendered him unemployable during the appeal period. The Board granted TDIU benefits.

The Board denied service connection for a right eye disability as secondary to lower back and digestive disorders, finding no evidence of causation.,The Board also denied service connection for right ear hearing loss as secondary to lower back and digestive disorders.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation prior to June 29, 2015 was denied.,A 40 percent rating was granted effective from June 29, 2015.,A 50 percent rating was granted effective from April 3, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus was denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,The reduction of the hearing loss disability rating from 70% to 40%, effective November 1, 2011, was restored due to improper procedure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II has also been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and left inguinal hernia for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's current hearing loss and service exposure, scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his left inguinal hernia, right inguinal hernia, and umbilical hernia, and determining whether these conditions are related or aggravated by his service-connected left inguinal hernia.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest schedular rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.