Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 20 percent since September 16, 2015. The evidence does not support a higher rating for any period.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss was denied. The earlier effective date claim for the grant of service connection for myocardial infarction (heart disease) is pending and needs to be addressed in a Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is incurred in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable prior to October 16, 2017, and a 10 percent rating thereafter. The Veteran's coronary artery disease did not meet the criteria for any higher ratings.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were found to be unrelated to his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss began during his active service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to acoustic trauma sustained during his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a clarifying examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for all issues before the Board.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 4, 2017, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter was granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable (zero percent) throughout the appeal period based on audiometric test results. The Board found that these results did not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's conditions, including diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and left knee disability are service connected. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during his military service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus had their onset in service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service acoustic trauma during combat service in Vietnam, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, with puretone thresholds of up to 28 dB in the left ear and 26 dB in the right ear. Speech recognition ability remains at or above 96 percent in both ears.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease, and his kidney disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to service. The appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his exposure to excessive levels of noise during his active military service, and thus service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and a back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.