Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's hearing loss was found to be at Level II and Level III prior to December 10, 2015, and Level IV since then. The Board denied both the claim for a compensable rating prior to December 10, 2015 and the claim for an increased evaluation after that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current hearing loss or total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD, but granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD prior to August 9, 2010, and a 20 percent rating thereafter.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 50 percent since November 23, 2011. The claim for a higher initial rating for tinnitus was withdrawn by the Veteran in his substantive appeal. The Board denied entitlement to TDIU as the combined rating of service-connected disabilities does not meet the schedular requirements.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational background from December 17, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of VA examination records. The Veteran's service records indicate exposure to noise during live fire exercises, helicopter flights, and parachute insertions. Additional medical examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss and diabetes mellitus II can be decided.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which combined are at least 40% disabling and prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the previously denied service connection claims for bilateral ear disabilities, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's competent and credible testimony, along with his submitted treatment records, adequately establishes causation in these cases.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms within a year post-service. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's service connection for left ear hearing loss, right knee instability (meniscal tear), and post-operative left knee with arthritis has been granted. The Veteran is assigned a noncompensable disability rating for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back strain and bilateral hearing loss, as well as service connection for ischemic heart disease. The evidence did not show entitlement to a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's inner ear disability, manifested by vertigo and dizziness, is granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at the minimum (10%) level. Tinnitus is also rated at the minimum (10%) level.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development due to the significant worsening of his service-connected right hip, right knee, cervical spine disabilities, and bilateral hearing loss since the last VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not shown during service or within one year thereafter, and there is no evidence of a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development and readjudication, including obtaining a new VA medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his current hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence received since the last denial. Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss, but not for right ear hearing loss.