Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his in-service noise exposure and does not meet the threshold requirements for a disability as defined by VA regulations. As such, service connection for this condition cannot be established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his active service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as his hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating schedule.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss disability and tinnitus, but granted service connection for residuals of a laceration to the right fifth finger. The low back issue is not established.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and audiometric test results. The claim will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to service or any in-service injury. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder disability, tinnitus, and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's left shoulder disability is found to have been incurred in service due to a pre-existing injury that was aggravated by service. Tinnitus is presumed to be related to noise exposure during service. Hearing loss does not meet the VA criteria for a current disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for clarification from Dr. Timmons regarding his January 2012 examination findings, and for additional development concerning the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn. The Veteran is entitled to a 60 percent disability rating for proctitis prior to August 15, 2013, and in excess of 60 percent thereafter. He is also entitled to a 40 percent disability rating for residuals of prostate cancer as of January 4, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and will consider this evidence in their next decision.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss has been granted, with a disability rating of 50% effective from May 12, 2016. Prior to that date, the Veteran was rated at 40%. The decision is based on improved audiometric results.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic arthritis of the left knee and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of July 25, 2016. The Board granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to a service-connected disorder. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for an increased rating for tinnitus.,The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss from January 30, 2014 to November 15, 2014 did not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for supplemental opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and TMJ disabilities.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than June 7, 2013 for the grant of a 50 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss is not warranted as there is no evidence demonstrating an increase in severity within one year prior to the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his hearing loss was denied as his bilateral hearing loss is manifested by noncompensable hearing impairment in both ears throughout the appeal period.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not caused by or aggravated by his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

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