Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right foot hallux limitus, and left foot hallux limitus have been denied as the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of these conditions or their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board denied service connection for chronic muscle spasm of the right leg, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic sinusitis, dermatitis (claimed as skin rash), and headache (claimed as chronic headache).,There is no current evidence to support a diagnosis of chronic muscle spasm of the right leg. The Veteran's symptoms are not related to service.,The Veteran has sensorineural hearing loss that did not begin during service or be related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,Tinnitus was first reported over 25 years after separation from service and is likely a symptom of the Veteran’s existing hearing loss.,Chronic sinusitis is not linked to service as there are no symptoms documented during service. The current diagnosis is too long after service for a link to be established.,The Veteran's dermatitis (claimed as skin rash) was not present during service and is not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no service connection issues remain for consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 24, 2007. The Board also granted a TDIU rating effective from August 24, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since January 28, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his PTSD alone precludes him from employment.

The appeal for service connection and increased ratings has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support finding that the left knee disorder began during service or was related to service, and the Veteran's hearing loss disability met the criteria for a 20% rating.

The Veteran's cataracts have been rated at 30 percent since the initial claim in March 28, 2008. The Board has remanded his claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 90 percent since January 28, 2011. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant an increased rating in excess of this level.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and degenerative changes of the low back, finding no evidence that these conditions began during or were related to service. The effective date for service connection was also denied.

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

The Board has remanded the claims for residuals of cervical spine fracture, bilateral eye condition, bilateral hearing loss, TBI, headaches, weakness on left side of body, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is also remanded as there are no current medical opinions linking any diagnosed psychiatric disorders to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50%, but the Board finds that a higher rating of 70% is warranted due to his suicidal thoughts and other symptoms. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and erectile dysfunction are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss was granted. Service connection for this condition is denied.,PTSD has been granted at a 70% disability rating from November 18, 2010 to September 9, 2012 and at a 100% disability rating starting from September 10, 2012. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted during this period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability, and any in-service noise exposure did not result in a compensable degree of hearing loss within one year of separation from active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on several service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted, and he is now entitled to VA benefits related to this condition. His initial rating for bilateral hearing loss remains at 20 percent, but his case for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to his disabilities will be remanded.