Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The decision also includes a grant of a TDIU based on the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding his ability to engage in substantially gainful employment given his service-connected hearing disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability during or in proximity to the appeal period.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied because there is no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and in-service noise exposure. The Board finds that the Veteran's lay reports are not credible enough to establish a causal relationship.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and right lower extremity neuropathy (claimed as a right hip disorder) are granted service connection. The respiratory disorder is remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran does not have current disabilities as defined by VA standards. The Board also found no credible evidence linking the Veteran's tinnitus to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded. Additionally, the earlier effective date assigned for this increase remains in appellate status and must be addressed by issuing a SOC.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated at two points during the appeal period, with average pure tone decibel levels of 28 for the right ear and 18 for the left ear. These results do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence received after the May 2016 SOC, including VA treatment records and a January 2017 VA examination. The issues of service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, and PTSD are being reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, migraine headaches, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effects of these disabilities.

The Veteran's hearing loss rating was restored to 30 percent effective June 1, 2017. A 40 percent rating for his hearing loss is granted since February 16, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being requested to be evaluated again with additional medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for residuals of left TKR is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not show severe painful motion or weakness in the left knee, which would warrant a higher rating under DCs 5055, 5256, 5261, and 5262.

The Board denied service connection for chronic myeloid leukemia and denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. §1151 for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to VA treatment in October 2006.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as new and material evidence was not presented. Service connection for low back pain and right hand mass were also denied due to lack of a current diagnosis or link to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied, with a 20 percent rating effective February 24, 2018. The effective date of the initial grant of service connection is January 22, 2013.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure.