Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing service treatment records from November 1978 to February 1979.

The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating based on VA examination results and other evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been granted. The issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for left ear disability, compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for bilateral hip disorder and back disorder have all been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no current diagnosis of a disability related to his active duty service. The evidence did not establish an in-service injury or disease, and the disabilities found are not shown to be causally related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for left ankle sprain with crepitus, right ankle sprain with crepitus, and left foot bunion. Service connection was granted for right ear hearing loss but not for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's hearing loss in the left ear and DJD of bilateral shoulders, right shoulder, left shoulder, right elbow, left elbow, right knee, and left knee are all granted as service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left ear hearing loss, and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for arthritis was dismissed. The petition to reopen his claim for service connection for chronic bronchitis, a blood disorder, and diabetes mellitus were denied due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus were granted based on exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange). The Veteran's prostate disability claim was denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the earliest possible effective date is May 2, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for various conditions was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal. The claims were not substantiated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and mentoplasty due to lack of evidence showing a current disability resulting from in-service noise exposure or surgery, respectively.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings were denied. Service connection was not established for left ear hearing loss or hypertension, and the Veteran did not receive a higher rating for his shin pain disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is related to military noise exposure and has been granted service connection. Service connection for Lyme disease, CFS, and myalgia of multiple joints is denied.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40% since the beginning of the appeal period, and he received separate ratings for loss of use of both feet and special monthly compensation due to his service-connected disabilities. The rating for radiculopathy affecting the left and right lower extremities was granted no more than 40%, effective August 2, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His TDIU is granted as of November 19, 2015.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically linked to his in-service noise exposure. The hearing loss case is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's low back, left hip, and right hip conditions are not found to be related to service or the service-connected left knee condition.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not found to be related to service. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for a disability.,The Veteran has been determined to need regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.