Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, bilateral hearing loss, IBS, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and PTSD) have all been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including irritable bowel syndrome, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from December 6, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spondylosis are remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The claim for service connection for an eye disorder remains denied as new evidence does not relate a current condition to service.

The Board has denied a compensable disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for hypertension, duodenal ulcer, and thyroid condition have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Bilateral hearing loss is not considered to have been aggravated by service, while tinnitus had its onset during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss, specifically whether it is related to service or worsened during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to incomplete medical opinions, inconsistencies in the evidence, and other issues.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of a bilateral hearing loss disability and has determined that it is at least as likely as not related to active duty service.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal of his claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, resulting in their dismissal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was reopened due to the submission of relevant service treatment records. The evidence does not support a current disability of right ear hearing loss, and thus the claim is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not shown to be related to service, as his hearing was normal at the time of separation and there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms. The VA examiner found that the current hearing loss is not related to military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck disability, back disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, skin disability (rash on lower extremities), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. However, further development is needed as VA examinations are required to determine the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Board is unable to determine if service connection has ever been granted for the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, and thus remands the case.

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

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board finds that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are the result of in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease alone renders him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and he is also eligible for special monthly compensation based on housebound status due to multiple service-connected disabilities. However, he does not meet the criteria for regular aid and attendance benefits.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to incomplete audiometric testing records and the need for a new VA audiology examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.