Hearing loss Board decisions

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 exposure to loud noises during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and CAD have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has ordered a new VA examination and remanded the case due to the lack of probative value in the previous examiner's opinion. The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which may be secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both granted. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, which is related to in-service noise exposure. However, the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. However, it granted service connection for tinnitus as the Veteran's symptoms began in service and have continued.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for hiatal hernia was granted, and service connection for hypertension, PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, lumbar spine disability, major depressive disorder, right little finger ankylosis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied. The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for various conditions was also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for additional examination and opinion due to the need for a comprehensive assessment, including consideration of his service-connected otitis externa.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking his current hearing loss to military service.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, to include as due to in-service Agent Orange exposure is denied.,An effective date prior to February 3, 2016, for the assignment of a 30 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's claim was received after this date.

This decision denies service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and MRSA infection. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss, headaches, PTSD, night sweats, sleep disorders, and psoriatic arthritis are remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety disorder).

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence did not show a relationship to service, with no current disability found for tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the condition and active duty. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as new VA treatment records have been added to the record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a head injury, TBI with residual headaches, hearing loss, heart disability, elevated cholesterol, liver disability, and kidney disability is granted. However, the claims for service connection for these conditions are based on direct evidence rather than any presumption or secondary relationship.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating prior to October 30, 2017. After this date, the evidence does not support an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and his military service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the period prior to April 21, 2016. The Court has remanded the issue of left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's lumbago and chronic low back pain (posttraumatic) are rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.,The Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.