Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has been manifested by no more than level II hearing in the right ear and level IV in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected due to continuous symptoms since his second period of active service and at least as likely as not related to noise exposure in service.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer with urinary incontinence due to presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty. Service connection for hearing loss, right ear, is not addressed as it was previously denied and the Veteran did not perfect an appeal of this issue.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected due to acoustic trauma in Vietnam. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating for PTSD, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has found that new VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right ankle condition and left ear hearing loss. The appeal is REMANDED for these purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic muscular strain low back, depressive disorder, degenerative disease of the right ankle, Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the left knee, tinnitus, arthritis of the right knee, and right ear hearing loss, preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and his tinnitus is not related to service. Therefore, service connection for both conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability and for obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA audiology examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims for increased ratings and the propriety of the combined disability evaluation are also being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for a skin condition, increased evaluations for PTSD, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and tinnitus, as well as TDIU. The case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is due to exposure to acoustic trauma during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and TMJ are all found to be related to his military service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran was found unemployable from August 29, 2011 to September 30, 2015 due to the combined effects of his service-connected PTSD and sleep apnea. His combined disability rating for these conditions is 80 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder with somatic symptoms and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The remaining issues have been remanded as they require further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not caused by or a result of his military service due to noise exposure while driving large trucks without mufflers.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not at least as likely as not caused by or a result of service. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, resolving doubt in his favor. The gastrointestinal disorder is not currently before the Board for adjudication.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and PTSD. Specifically, VA treatment records from 1967 at Dayton VA Medical Center are requested, as well as a new examination to determine the etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a PTSD personal assault stressor letter and another VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders and hearing loss/tinnitus.