Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 20 percent since April 6, 2009 and remains at that level. A higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his period of active duty service, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or significant threshold shifts. The VA examiner concluded that it is less likely than not that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were caused by military noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service noise exposure.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss disability was not aggravated by his active service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vestibular dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected migraines is granted. The claims for initial compensable evaluation and increased evaluations for bilateral hearing loss are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to address his claims.

The Board has determined that it is as likely as not that the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral sensorineural hearing loss had its onset in service. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of an in-service left eye injury, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and headache disability. The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a left eye injury is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and notifying her of any inability to obtain the requested documents.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and determined that new evidence received since the March 2007 rating decision is sufficient to reopen the claim. The Board also found that the Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability had its initial onset during service or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD was granted. The issue of a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is still pending, and the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to lack of clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the latter being granted as a result of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has reopened the claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, stomach ulcers, bilateral hearing loss, and a heart disorder due to new and material evidence. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be related to service, while the low back and neck disabilities remain in dispute due to lack of medical evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for atopic dermatitis, sleep apnea, hyperlipidemia, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and anxiety disorder), chronic sleep impairment, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral knee disability, diabetes mellitus type II, and nephropathy with hypertension. The Board found that the evidence did not support a relationship between these conditions and service or any presumptive exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination and the need to obtain updated medical records. The Veteran will be scheduled for another VA examination by an audiologist.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the Veteran not receiving her March 2016 Supplemental Statement of the Case and because she is currently receiving VA treatment for her hearing loss. The case will be returned to the AOJ with updated VA treatment records associated.

The Veteran's glaucoma, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension have been rated based on their current manifestations. The glaucoma is now rated at 10% effective September 15, 2017. Bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are each rated at 10%. These ratings are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, left foot disability (hallux valgus with arthritis and post-traumatic changes), and left knee disability (left knee arthritis) had their onset during service and are related to his military service.