Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, and his claim for a higher rating for residuals of a fractured nose was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support reopening the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss or establishing service connection for either condition. For tinnitus, the Veteran's lay contentions were deemed insufficient to establish service connection as there is no current diagnosis and his denial of tinnitus during the appeal period. Regarding residuals of a fractured nose, the Board found that while noise exposure was conceded, there was no evidence linking any current symptoms to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent disability rating, effective October 28, 2010. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and irritable bowel syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss was denied as his degree of hearing loss did not meet the standards for a compensable evaluation at any point.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not result from in-service noise exposure and is less likely related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective April 5, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear results from a private audiometric test conducted in November 2015. The Veteran needs to provide additional information about the test results and how they were calculated.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 40 percent, effective April 4, 2016. The Board has restored the 40 percent rating for this period and denied any higher ratings or entitlement to TDIU/SMC.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and higher ratings has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals regarding the skin disability and bilateral hearing loss issues. The Board determined a 70 percent initial rating is warranted for the acquired psychiatric disorder throughout the period of the claim.

The Board has restored service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the initial decision to grant service connection was not based on fraud or a lack of requisite service or character of discharge.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus are all found to be related to his active service.,PTSD is rated at 50 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically exposure to acoustic trauma during active duty. The continuity of symptoms from in-service noise exposure is established, leading to a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new examination assessing the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for tinnitus was granted with resolution of doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and found that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma. The claim for an increased rating for chondromalacia of the left knee was not decided.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, arranging for a medical examination, and conducting initial review of all pertinent evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the lower extremities, were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support higher ratings or service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, while his bilateral hearing loss disability remains denied. The Veteran also has a claim for an increased rating for residuals of compression fractures at T10 and L2.