Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as the evidence does not support a higher disability evaluation for any period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for TDIU as of May 28, 2010. The appeals for service connection for residuals of scorpion sting poisoning; higher initial ratings for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss; and an earlier effective date for service connection for tinnitus were withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's appeal regarding increased ratings for tinnitus, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals in April 2017.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to address his claimed conditions. The appeal will be remanded to allow for this development.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year after separation. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) in Thailand.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not supported by the medical evidence showing that they were incurred during active duty service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hearing loss, which the Board has determined requires additional development due to incomplete medical records and inadequate examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as evidenced by post-service occupational noise exposure with hearing protection. The claims of entitlement to service connection for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for prostate cancer due to new evidence. However, both the prostate cancer and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability claims are denied as there is no direct link between these conditions and service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss as there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable since September 10, 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric results did not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or a left foot disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as Level II in all VA audiology examinations conducted during the appeal period, resulting in a non-compensable rating. The Board found that the Veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and found no current right ear hearing loss disability. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as non-compensable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that he is unable to secure or follow such employment due to his age and the nature of his service-connected conditions.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is as likely as not attributable to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, as well as his claims for increased ratings and special monthly compensation. The appeals were based on various conditions including Parkinson's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, genitourinary impairment, and vertebral fracture.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.