Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases for a VA audiological examination to assess the current severity of the service-connected bilateral hearing loss and its impact on employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's spouse was included as a dependent for the purpose of an increased benefit award effective as of January 26, 2015, when his combined disability rating was at least thirty percent.

The appeal of entitlement to a rating greater than 40 percent for degenerative changes of the lower thoracolumbar spine is dismissed. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability, right ear hearing loss, and nerve impairment in the lower extremities are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings. The Board found that the Veteran's hearing acuity, while severe, did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied for type II diabetes mellitus, hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, peripheral vascular disease, varicose veins, phlebitis/thrombophlebitis, embolism/thrombosis, proteinuria, impotence, and a skin disorder. The Board found that the evidence did not establish service connection for any of these conditions.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. The claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an award of a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left hip disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for blood in urine and right foot condition are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable due to auditory acuity levels of level II in the right ear and level I in the left ear, which do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and respiratory disability due to insufficient detail in the October 2013 VA examination reports. The Veteran will need additional VA audiological and respiratory examinations, as well as a review of his service records and treatment history.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his left ear sensorineural hearing loss had its onset during active duty and that his right ear hearing loss was aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and missing records. The claims will be reviewed again with additional evidence and examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of increased rating for residuals of a left wrist fracture.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the current disabilities are more likely due to normal aging process and post-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been reopened, but a compensable rating is denied.,Service connection for the left ear hearing loss and bilateral perforations of tympanic membranes remains denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's heart condition is remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection for coronary artery disease is also remanded as the Veteran claims it was caused by Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether these conditions are related to military noise exposure. The Veteran's statements and testimony have been found credible.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus due to noise exposure during active service. However, the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded as the VA examiner's opinion was inadequate.