Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, cardiac disability (atrial fibrillation), and PTSD have all been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a current disability in any of these areas.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been found to most closely approximate a 70% rating, but his bilateral hearing loss claim has been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals, and the Board dismissed all claims due to the withdrawal.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, and his bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable. The TDIU claim has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal seeking to reopen a claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss has been granted. Service connection for a psychiatric disability is also granted. The issues regarding the rating in excess of 20 percent for a back disability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to service.

The rating reduction from 10 percent to noncompensable for bilateral hearing loss effective September 1, 2012 was improper and the 10 percent rating is restored. The issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is also remanded due to evidence suggesting worsening.

The Veteran's right wrist condition, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss are all granted service connection. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of current disabilities, and the appellant did not provide sufficient medical or lay evidence to support his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

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

The Veteran withdrew his claims of service connection for burning/running eyes, hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA audiology examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability. The case will be returned to the Board after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran wishes to withdraw her claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss. The remaining issues on appeal are being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss based on continuity of symptoms since service, finding that the Veteran's current disability is due to in-service acoustic trauma and continuous post-service symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including exposure to noise during military service. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a currently diagnosed cardiac disability, diabetes mellitus, or bilateral hearing loss present in service or within one year of separation from service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are denied as the preponderance of the evidence does not support a link to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a hearing. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is currently pending.

The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was reduced from 20 percent to noncompensable effective May 1, 2017. The reduction was upheld as proper due to the evidence showing improvement in his hearing acuity.