Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore service connection cannot be granted.

The case is being remanded due to non-compliance with the Board's previous directives, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 20, 2017. Prior to that date, the claim was denied.,PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, but his diabetes mellitus is not.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of entitlement to higher ratings or service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disabilities and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of a left shoulder disorder and bilateral hearing loss due to his withdrawal during the December 2017 hearing. The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, and concluded that any pre-existing hearing loss did not worsen during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, but has granted service connection for tinnitus due to credible evidence of its occurrence during service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active military service. The skin cancer claim is remanded due to lack of STRs and incomplete information regarding radiation exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and earlier effective dates for service connection of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA opinion regarding the etiology of his current hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD due to a lack of current disability diagnoses. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran had these conditions during or in proximity to his active duty.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal via a written statement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's callouses/skin condition of his feet are related to service and grants service connection for this condition. The issues of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability warranted a noncompensable initial rating.

The Veteran's current hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service, and the Board finds that this condition meets the criteria for service connection. The issue of gastroenteritis remains pending as a new medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case will be returned to the Board for further appellate consideration if necessary.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, hearing loss, back condition, bilateral radiculopathy, and bladder dysfunction, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. Therefore, the Board grants TDIU.

The Board found no evidence of a causal relationship between the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities and his military service, as there was no in-service noise exposure or complaints. The earliest clinical evidence of these conditions is many years after separation from service.