Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability did not undergo an increase in severity during his active duty service, and therefore, it is not service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the current conditions are not related to service or any in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including an opinion on the functional impact of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and considering new evidence. The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and acquired psychiatric disability are inextricably intertwined with one another.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is at least 80 percent, and he meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that his disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue of an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted with a rating in excess of 50 percent from January 20, 2016 onwards. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are denied as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's esophageal cancer and diabetes mellitus are not service connected.

The Board found that the reduction from a 20% rating to a 0% rating for bilateral hearing loss was not proper and restored the original 20% rating.

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

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for back disabilities, characterized as neck pain and mid and low back pain, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence does not show a current disability or a relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying in-service stressors. A new VA examination is also needed to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right ankle limitation of motion, and right ankle nerve damage have been denied. The RO has not assigned a compensable rating for the service-connected bilateral hearing loss since July 27, 2009.

The Board has determined that the January 2012 VA examiner's opinion is inadequate and a remand is required to obtain an addendum opinion from another appropriate expert. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are inextricably intertwined, so both issues will be addressed together.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not originate in service or within one year of service discharge, and are not otherwise etiologically related to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to loud noise during service. As a result, the claims for service connection are granted.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD and bipolar disorder.,Service connection is also granted for tinnitus. However, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim was denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were found to be related to his military service, with the Board finding that he experienced noise exposure during his time as a fuel specialist. The claim for service connection was granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, benign tumors (fatty tumors), a seizure disorder, and a bilateral upper extremity disorder. However, the claim for residuals of an asserted in-service traumatic brain injury with migraine headaches and a seizure disorder is denied as there is no evidence showing that these conditions are related to service.