Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was rated at 10 percent prior to September 22, 2017 and remains at 10 percent from that date. The Board found the evidence did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's back condition is not service-connected as it did not manifest during or within one year after his military service and there is no evidence linking the current disability to service.,Bilateral hearing loss was not shown to have occurred in service, did not manifest for several years thereafter, and is not related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative disc disease (neck pain) was denied. His bilateral hearing loss and analgesic nephropathy (kidney pain) claims were granted, with the latter being secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation guidelines.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are attributable to in-service noise exposure, thus granting service connection for these conditions. The psychiatric disorder claim is remanded as it pertains to a different issue.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as a new examination is needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied. His bilateral hearing loss and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity were rated appropriately based on their respective disability levels.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asbestos-related lung disease and bilateral hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since February 17, 2004. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is service-connected, as it was continuously present since service. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between his right ear hearing loss and military service. The Veteran also does not have a currently diagnosed right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is incurred in service, and his bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable degree within one year post-service. The decision grants service connection for the back disability but denies service connection for the hearing loss.

The Veteran's right index finger disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that an evaluation in excess of this rating is not warranted.,For the period prior to October 19, 2011, the Veteran was service-connected for PTSD (70%), residuals of a gunshot wound to the right index finger (10%), tinnitus (10%), and bilateral hearing loss (noncompensable). His combined evaluation did not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's heart condition, diagnosed as coronary artery disease (CAD), is not service-connected.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss has been granted. The Veteran does not have right ear hearing loss.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a grant of benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to January 7, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board, as there is no evidence of more severe hearing impairment that would warrant an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service-connected hearing loss or otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA audiological examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination.