Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable since November 18, 2010. The Board found that the evidence did not show sufficient hearing impairment to warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, granting service connection for both conditions.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted, and his bilateral hearing loss claim remains denied. The low back disability issue has been remanded for further examination. Service connection is established for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. Other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's PTSD and hearing loss have been rated at 70 percent combined, meeting the threshold for TDIU. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 100 percent effective May 18, 2017.,Service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted based on evidence showing the onset of symptoms during service and a link to noise exposure.,A 100% rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted as of May 18, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, specifically regarding the VA audiologist's opinion on whether the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to service. The examiner needs to consider all relevant evidence and provide a complete rationale for their opinion.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss had an onset within a year of service and is considered a disability for VA purposes. The Board finds that the Veteran's reports of continuity of symptomatology are credible, and thus grants service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating of 10% prior to January 28, 2010.

The Veteran is entitled to a permanent and total service-connected disability rating based on individual unemployability since August 26, 2008. Effective January 13, 2011, the Veteran's TDIU claim was granted.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for painful motion in the Veteran's right thumb, index finger, and long fingers associated with his service-connected right hand scars. The remaining issues have been denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, Meniere's Disease, and an acquired psychiatric disability to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment during the period on appeal, so he is not entitled to an effective date earlier than May 11, 2015 for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to a change in the status of his hearing since the last VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA audiological examination and an opinion on whether his current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to active service and/or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, bilateral arm disability, and bilateral hand disability have all been denied. The Veteran has not established a current disability for any of these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a causal relationship between the Veteran's GERD and service, including exposure to environmental hazards. Service treatment records are silent for complaints or diagnoses related to GERD.,Service treatment records do not show asthma during service. The Veteran was diagnosed with mild asthma in November 1998 after separation from service. There is no evidence of a causal relationship between the Veteran's current asthma and service.