Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine disability, skin disability, tinnitus, and head injury was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's last VA examination was in October 2013, and he has alleged a worsening of his bilateral hearing loss since then. The case is being remanded because the Veteran needs to undergo another VA audiological examination for an accurate disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his service, including exposure to noise during military service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, type II diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, lung disorder, cysts of the throat and right parotid gland, skin cancer of the forehead, loss of vision, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, bilateral foot swelling, and bilateral hand disorder. The claims were denied as new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his military service, while he does not have right ear hearing loss for VA purposes.

Your claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and complete a VA Form 21-4142 for names of physicians who treated you.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has determined that he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his audiometric test results do not meet the specific pure tone thresholds and/or speech discrimination percentages required for higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for entitlement to increased ratings for a left foot disability, bilateral hearing loss prior to August 4, 2017 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter, and hemorrhoids. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are granted as service-connected.,Service connection is also granted for left hand surface lump, carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands, and primary vitiligo. However, the issues of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome right hand and left hand, and degenerative arthritis left knee remain pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to December 15, 2011 for his service connection awards of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The issues were referred back to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) due to the Veteran raising a claim for increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable prior to September 25, 2006. The bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent prior to September 17, 2015 and 70 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's death prevented the appellant from timely filing a request to substitute as claimant for claims pending at the time of his death, resulting in denial.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the lack of audiogram and private audiological records. The VA will obtain these records and readjudicate the case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between current disabilities and in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for low back strain and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of a nexus to service.,Service connection was also denied for chronic bronchitis due to herbicide exposure, as there is no evidence of such an illness in the record.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is denied as his hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and diabetes mellitus type II, with the latter being presumed due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's statements regarding his proximity to the air base perimeter have been credited over VA's formal finding of insufficient evidence.