Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for tinnitus and hearing loss, finding that the current schedular ratings adequately describe his disability level. The claim for TDIU is also denied as it is inextricably intertwined with the hearing loss and tinnitus claims.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is currently rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the initial grant of service connection in December 2014.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service, with the Board finding that these conditions were incurred in service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as opinions based solely on the absence of in-service treatment records are inadequate. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and an addendum opinion to address the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (low back, knees, hearing loss, and PTSD) preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service connection for bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper and lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the left upper and lower extremities are not supported by the evidence. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, thus denying these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and clarify the nature of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, or a shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling new examinations and obtaining VA treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and multiple myeloma are not related to service, including noise exposure or herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to his military noise exposure, and the Board finds that resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service and is not otherwise etiologically related to his period of service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the claim was received on May 25, 2010.

The Veteran's application for waiver of premiums for RH insurance was denied because his total disability did not begin after the date of his application or while the insurance was in force under premium-paying conditions.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder, respiratory disability, eye disability, left-sided nerve disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral foot disabilities. The decision was based on the appellant's National Guard service rather than active duty at Ground Zero.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disorder and bilateral hearing loss were not incurred or aggravated by service, respectively. The claim for service connection for a back disorder was denied as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease resulting in current disability. For his bilateral hearing loss, the initial noncompensable rating was also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate and whether there are any new or material pieces of evidence for his service connection claims. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.