Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to unclear audiometric data from service, requiring a supplemental opinion.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to new evidence. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,For the period on appeal, the Veteran’s right wrist tendonitis and left wrist tendonitis have not resulted in functional limitations that warrant a higher rating than the currently assigned 10 percent ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 100% from May 3, 2018. The right knee disability is granted a separate 10% rating for instability since January 7, 2013 and the Veteran is granted TDIU effective from that date. Special monthly compensation based on loss of use of hearing is granted as of May 3, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to potential issues with service connection based on exposure to herbicide agents. The claims will be reviewed again, including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is rated as 0% disabling, which is the lowest possible rating. The Board found that his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions during or within one year after his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened since his last VA audiological examination, and he is being asked to provide updated treatment records. He will also be scheduled for a VA audiological examination with an otolaryngologist.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for a 50% evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is granted. Service connection for other conditions such as skin condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, high blood pressure, retroperitoneal fibrosis, and back problem are remanded.

The Veteran's hearing loss was evaluated and found to be no higher than 30 decibels in the right ear and no higher than 35 decibels in the left ear. The speech recognition scores were at least 76% for both ears, resulting in a non-compensable rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of record to show that the criteria for a compensable rating were met at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to service, but more development is needed for the hearing loss claim.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to alcohol dependence, which was secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran died from metastatic gastric cancer.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated at a level of 10 percent, the minimum rating available under VA guidelines. The Board found that his condition did not warrant an increase in rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing a current disability. The left ankle disability claim is remanded as there are questions about its pre-service status and whether it was aggravated by service.

The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service.,The claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus prior to March 26, 2015, is denied because the Veteran did not file a formal or informal claim before that date.