Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service noise exposure. The TDIU claim is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these decisions.

The Veteran's claim for SDVI/RH under 38 U.S.C. § 1922(a) was denied because the application was not received within two years of his service connection being granted, and he did not have a recognized mental incompetence that would have tolled the application period.

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

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities have prevented him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether his current hearing loss is related to military noise exposure. The underlying issue of entitlement to service connection remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to make a decision on the Veteran's claims, including obtaining addendum opinions regarding his vertigo and bilateral hearing loss. The issue of TDIU is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for additional examinations. The Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, psychiatric disorders, leg pain, and foot pain are all under review.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which the VA examiner found less likely than not caused by or related to his military service. The Board finds additional development is necessary due to missing service treatment records and lack of a medical opinion addressing post-service occupational noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected bilateral ear disability other than hearing loss and denied the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right ear disability due to VA treatment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that his current condition is not related to his military service and specifically noting no evidence of aggravation during service.

The Veteran is found unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected left leg thrombophlebitis, which meets the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis. The issue of service connection for hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU beginning March 30, 2011 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is rated at 60 percent, and his PTSD prior to June 16, 2016, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and PTSD have been granted service connection, with the hearing loss being attributed to noise exposure during his combat service. The Veteran is currently rated at 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran has a current disability of bilateral hearing loss, was exposed to loud noise in service, and the evidence is at least in equipoise that he had hearing impairment since service. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for aid and attendance allowance for J.R. was dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant. The Board granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance, finding that the Veteran requires regular aid and assistance due to his service-connected disabilities.