Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's complete service personnel records and any outstanding VA treatment records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board found no evidence of in-service onset or continuity of hearing loss, and the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 20 percent since the July 2010 rating decision, reflecting a significant improvement in his hearing compared to previous evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and employment information. A VA examination will also be scheduled to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the claims for increased ratings were not granted. The conditions, including hearing loss and sleep apnea, did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

The Board granted an increased rating of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss and confirmed the effective date of June 10, 2010 for service connection of a back disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was found to be noncompensable throughout the appeal period. The issue of service connection for a respiratory disability is addressed in the REMAND portion and is currently pending.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 60 percent effective May 1, 2013. The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right and left knee disabilities were previously denied. New evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.,The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an acquired psychiatric disability related to radiation treatment was also denied as there is no additional disability stemming from VA treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently evaluated at 20 percent, effective November 16, 2015. The appeal for an increased rating is denied as the evidence does not support a finding of entitlement to a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a need for an opinion on whether the Veteran's hypertension was caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion on the etiology of hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's death was presumed to be due to his service-connected schizophrenia, thus qualifying him for burial benefits.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine strain.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss is causally related to noise exposure during his active service. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and affording him an opportunity to provide testimony at a hearing. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active duty service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.