Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, migraines, bilateral hearing loss, and a psychiatric disorder (anxiety), finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incidents, injuries, or illnesses related to these conditions.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of recent VA examinations and outstanding medical records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for back, eye, and bilateral hearing loss conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the hearing loss being considered a direct result of noise exposure during service. The tinnitus is presumed to have developed due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was granted a 60% rating effective July 27, 2016.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes in either ear, and therefore denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss had its onset during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, calcified nodules in the left lung, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension. The reasons given were lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and evaluation due to a lack of recent audiological assessments, which are necessary to determine if there has been any worsening or additional symptoms related to the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for initial evaluations and effective dates related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hepatocellular carcinoma, and benign prostatic hypertrophy. The Veteran's claims were not granted as the preponderance of evidence did not support a causal relationship between his conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to address flare-ups of his right hip disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and medical opinions are insufficient to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, particularly regarding his right shoulder disability. The case is therefore being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and his application for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bladder cancer is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded due to the need for clarification of audiometric testing word lists and additional VA audiological examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as due to in-service noise exposure. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements regarding in-service noise exposure, his current diagnosis of hearing loss, and the opinion that his tinnitus is at least as likely as not a symptom associated with the hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including COPD, PTSD, SFW left groin, thigh, penis, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, resulted in functional impairment that precluded him from maintaining substantially gainful employment for the period from December 19, 2011 to June 5, 2016. A TDIU rating was granted during this period.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee tenosynovitis and remanded the claims for lumbosacral (back) disability, cervical (neck) disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of nexus between current conditions and active service.