Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, and thus denied service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period prior to July 19, 2012. Therefore, TDIU is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss disability and thus, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. Additional development is required regarding an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran has been rated as 60 percent disabled for back disability since May 15, 1996. The Board finds that the Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities and grants TDIU from May 15, 1996 to January 23, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his period of active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and his service, including noise exposure. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew these issues prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and compliance with prior Board directives.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on his audiometric test results.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete audiometry results and treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right knee disorder have been granted service connection. The left knee disorder and hemorrhoids were denied as not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with notice regarding dental claims. The case will be adjudicated again after all necessary actions are taken.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including exposure to acoustic trauma. As a result, the appeal for service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and whether it is related to his military service. The Veteran will be given another opportunity to submit evidence.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there are no prior pending claims, and the earliest effective date that can be assigned is January 20, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for a bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination and the identification of outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various issues, including a compensable disability rating for a scar of the right lower extremity and service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims were also denied for TDIU due to PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions began in service and have continued to the present.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are due to in-service loud noise exposure, including during combat in Vietnam. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.