Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not have its onset during service and is not otherwise related to his military noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as 10 percent disabling since May 6, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted. The Veteran was awarded service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, and service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to his service-connected post-concussional syndrome with cerebellar dysfunction.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his bilateral hearing loss, left foot surgery residuals (heel spurs), and right foot metatarsalgia. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during his active service and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for this condition.

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

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be related to service, but there is no evidence of left ear hearing loss for VA purposes. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for headaches must also be remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as new and material evidence has been received. The case is now remanded for a VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a current VA audiological examination to determine the current impairment resulting from his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and private treatment records not being in the file, which may substantiate the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was denied as there is no legal basis for the assignment of such a higher evaluation. The effective date remains pending.

The Veteran requested an increased evaluation for spondylosis and service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right eye disorder. At the November 2017 hearing, he withdrew his appeal for service connection of a right eye disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and right ear hearing loss. The issue of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability warranted a rating of 20 percent under DC 5258 for dislocated cartilage, and a 10 percent rating under DC 5257 for slight lateral instability. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable throughout the claim period.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be etiologically related to his period of active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issues regarding bilateral hearing loss, left hip disability, and hypertension are remanded for further development.

For the period of March 22, 2016 through January 18, 2017, a rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is denied.,Prior to March 22, 2016 and from January 19, 2017, a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the Board found that his conditions did not warrant a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and he did not meet the criteria for service connection on any of the other issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current disability. The VA audiological examinations did not find any nexus between the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service.

The Veteran's upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as his impotence/erectile dysfunction are found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.,Hearing loss has not been shown for VA purposes.