Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU prior to September 19, 2016 was denied. The claims are now characterized to reflect the staged ratings assigned.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that his current hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's tables for rating hearing loss disabilities. The Board also found no evidence of a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from March 7, 2011. The claim for service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and left ear hearing loss do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus are etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service. The right ear hearing loss disability is still under review.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is found to have incurred these conditions during his active duty service, with tinnitus being less likely related to service due to lack of in-service complaints and bilateral hearing loss not having manifested until decades after service separation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, have been found to preclude substantially gainful employment. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected, with the evidence being at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the evaluation for bilateral hearing loss from 80 percent to noncompensable was proper. The claim of service connection for ulcers is reopened, but the evidence does not support a grant of service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder condition, and right plantar condition prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore service connection is denied. The claim of entitlement to service connection for pneumonia to include pulmonary disease remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be etiologically related to in-service hazardous noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, migraines, heart disability, arthritis, and respiratory disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's right ear canal stenosis has been granted an initial 10 percent disability rating, effective from the date of service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and ear pain were not found to be service-connected as they are not considered disabilities for VA purposes. The Board determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability or an ear pain disorder, and thus denied his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and vertigo are related to his service. However, there is no evidence of a current bilateral foot disorder attributable to service.

The Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability. The Veteran's claim for left ear hearing loss is granted as his sensorineural hearing loss had its initial onset in service or is otherwise shown to be etiologically related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all service-connected. The decision grants these claims based on direct evidence of a nexus between the conditions and service.