Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric testing showed no more than Level IX hearing in both ears, which is the minimum required for a 60% rating. The Board found that the schedular criteria adequately described his disability level and symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim. The same is true for left ear hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and right knee disability.

The Board found that the reduction of the 50 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss to 30 percent effective from July 1, 2016 was proper and denied restoration of the 50 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, which is related to service exposure to noise.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to February 24, 2014 was denied. A 10% rating is granted for the period from February 24, 2014, to February 18, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy and hearing loss, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal, and thus the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, hepatitis C, and cirrhosis of liver (secondary to hepatitis C) due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicide agents in Okinawa. The Veteran's service records indicate he was stationed at Kadena Air Force Base from January 1970 to August 1971.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The claim for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains pending as additional information is needed from the Veteran regarding his treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to December 3, 2009. The Board denied his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for an earlier effective date due to missing service treatment records, and requests that all relevant repositories be contacted to determine their availability.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.,Service connection for a respiratory disorder and dental disorders are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus with cataracts, and bilateral hearing loss rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 17, 2016, and from December 1, 2016, to February 28, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and further development of the case.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted service connection. The claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and right knee disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a retinal tear of the right eye is denied as there is no current disability and no evidence of an in-service injury or disease.,Service connection for hearing loss of the left ear is granted due to credible reports of noise exposure during active duty and currently diagnosed hearing loss.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA standards, so his claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's request for an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the lack of a recent VA examination. A new examination is required to assess the current severity and functional effects of his condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to incomplete service records. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered based on new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has worsened, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.