Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a compensable degree of disability within the applicable presumptive period.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service. The issue of service connection for a sleep disorder is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reconsider his previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence was received within one year of the April 2013 denial. The Board also found that there is a reasonable possibility that the current hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone is found to be of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.,Due to the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities (PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus), he meets the statutory housebound criteria for SMC benefits.

The Veteran's service connection claim for right ear hearing loss is granted. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s right ear hearing loss is related to his service, and thus grants service connection. For PTSD, the case is remanded due to changes in symptoms warranting a new examination.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection and evaluations due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal prior to a decision.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for bilateral ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension. The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus is granted, while his claim for diabetes mellitus, type II, is also granted. The issue of aggravation of bilateral pes planus is remanded.

The Board denied the claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss disability as there was no evidence showing a current disability, and the Veteran did not have a threshold shift in hearing within one year of discharge. The opinion from the VA examiner found that the Veteran's hearing loss is not related to his period of service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service and exposures to noise therein.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to October 21, 2016, for service connection of hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of a claim before that date.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are granted service connection. Service connection for PTSD is denied due to lack of current diagnosis. Service connection for IHD as due to herbicide exposure is also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding noise exposure in service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for syphilis (latent). The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is not supported by evidence showing a current disability, while his claim for syphilis (latent) requires further development to verify exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and cancer of the tonsils, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The claims for right ear and left ear hearing loss are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were generally granted. Bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, DJD of the lumbar spine (prior to July 14, 2016), PTSD from July 2, 2014 to April 10, 2018, chronic fatigue syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, and individual unemployability prior to April 10, 2018 were all granted. The Veteran's DJD of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent since July 14, 2016.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 40 percent since June 13, 2017. The Board found that the current rating adequately compensates for his service-connected hearing impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating prior to February 14, 2013, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is being remanded due to incomplete development.