Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's hepatitis B and Dupuytren's contracture in both hands have been granted service connection. The Board has found that the Veteran had these conditions prior to his entry into service, but they were not noted at any time during service.,Regarding the right wrist disability, the Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for osteoarthritis of the right wrist from March 1, 2014 onward. The Board found that this condition is related to his service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychological disorder, diabetes mellitus did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence linking his hydropyelonephrosis to service. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability and cerebrovascular disease are inextricably intertwined with the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for hydropyelonephrosis, status post-left nephrectomy.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service acoustic trauma, and grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has determined that new evidence does not establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of recent treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new VA examination. The issue of whether the reduction in his hearing loss rating was proper remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence is against a finding of current disabilities related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was incurred in, or caused by, his military service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is addressed in a separate REMAND portion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as Level I in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable evaluation. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent since July 27, 1997. The most recent VA examination in December 2015 showed Level II hearing impairment in the right ear and Level I hearing impairment in the left ear, warranting a 0 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating, and his employment background does not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including updated examinations and opinions regarding his left ear hearing loss, PTSD, and TDIU claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent from August 24, 2012 to January 26, 2017 and at 40 percent thereafter. The Board denied any higher ratings.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for scar on head, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and chronic fatigue. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 80 percent for the period from July 27, 2012 to October 13, 2014. The Board found that this rating is appropriate based on his audiometric test results.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be etiologically related to his active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and opinions regarding his hearing loss, psychiatric disorders, left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to service or post-service ear infections with related surgery. The case needs further examination and opinion from a VA examiner.