Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis of a hearing disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was incurred during service, and the Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding this claim. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development, including scheduling of VA examinations and obtaining medical records. The issues on appeal include service connection for various orthopedic, respiratory, psychiatric, and dermatological conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 50 percent since June 18, 2013. The Board found that the disability did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to January 21, 2015 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the lack of clarity regarding the type of speech recognition test used during his private audiological examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no increase in severity of preexisting right ear hearing loss during service and that current left ear hearing loss is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the disability rating for service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss from 10 percent to noncompensable effective July 1, 2009 was proper. The Veteran's current hearing impairment does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding PTSD, major depressive disorder with anxious distress, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeal for reinstating apportionment of the Veteran's benefits to his dependent mother was dismissed as he is not a proper claimant.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his military noise exposure. The criteria for service connection have been met, and the claim is granted.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his active service. The claim for ischemic heart disease (IHD) is remanded due to lack of a definitive diagnosis.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, eye disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these disabilities are related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and his death, as well as whether there was a contributory cause of death due to his service-connected conditions. The DIC claim may be inextricably intertwined with the outcome of the cause of death claim.

The Veteran died from colon cancer, which was not service-connected or related to any of his service-connected conditions. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip disorder, left ear hearing loss, and left knee disorder. The claim for PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 28, 2016 was denied as the audiometric data did not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent. The claim for a higher rating since June 28, 2016 was granted but at the same level (60 percent).

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and left ear hearing loss rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from October 22, 1975 through November 30, 1983.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for VA purposes related to his right ear hearing loss, and thus service connection is denied.