Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his service, with the Board finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his right ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus claims.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an addendum opinion from a VA audiologist.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently assigned a 30 percent evaluation. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increase in rating beyond this level.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to address the etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Board has determined that service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and depressive disorder is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and inguinal hernia residuals do not warrant compensable ratings.

The Veteran's appeal includes a request for an increased rating for hearing loss and the propriety of reducing his current 10 percent rating to 0 percent effective November 1, 2015. The Board has determined that additional development is needed before this case can be properly adjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including CLL, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, hypertension, headaches, GERD, lumbar spine disorder, shoulder disorders, hip disorders, leg disorders, and a psychiatric disorder are denied. The effective dates for the awards of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not established as prior to January 23, 2014.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for bilateral hearing loss and concluding that the Veteran's PTSD does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, which arise from a common etiology, render him unemployable due to his profound hearing loss that significantly impacts his ability to communicate with others. The Board grants entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and a low back disorder. The claim for service connection for a low back disorder is now substantiated as there is evidence of a current disability related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were initially denied in 2008. After the receipt of additional service treatment records, including some from his Air Force Reserve period, the VA granted service connection effective November 21, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, finding no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing disabilities and his military service. The claim for TDIU was not addressed as it is pending.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on a verified in-service stressor, effective from the date of receipt of the original claim (July 2, 2004). The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus remain pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 40 percent since April 21, 2014 to May 19, 2017. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted for this period.