Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, pes planus (claimed as feet pain), and left ear hearing loss. The decision found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for post-traumatic stress disorder and bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is currently rated 70 percent disabling, effective March 8, 2011. His bilateral hearing loss has been rated 70 percent since June 16, 2016.,The Veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it did not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board granted service connection for a headache and nausea disorder, finding that the Veteran's preexisting condition was not aggravated by his military service. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a basis to award higher ratings than those currently assigned.

From October 25, 2011 to March 21, 2017, the Veteran's cold injury residuals of both feet were rated as 10 percent disabling.,Since March 22, 2017, the Veteran's cold injury residuals of both feet have not met the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be at its worst Level II in the right ear and Level I in the left ear, which corresponds to a noncompensable disability rating. The Board determined that this level of hearing impairment did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need to obtain his employment records from Kraft Foods Inc. and provide an addendum opinion regarding whether his current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure.

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

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, as it does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims are now pending for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no competent or credible evidence of hearing loss in service or until decades after service, and no competent evidence linking current hearing loss to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for PTSD is withdrawn. The claim of service connection for hearing loss was denied in 2004 and reopened with new evidence, but the Board finds that there is no causal relationship between the Veteran's current hearing loss and his military service.,PTSD: The Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish a direct link between his PTSD and service. The claim remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA audiological examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for tinnitus. The right ear hearing loss and right knee disorder claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss and updated VA treatment records. The issue of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disability is also before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was granted effective September 10, 2012. The Veteran also received Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits effective the same date.,Prior to this decision, the Veteran had been receiving a 50% disability evaluation for PTSD since January 2010.

The Board found that the submitted evidence since the July 2009 final denial is essentially cumulative of the evidence previously of record with regard to the basis for the prior denial, and thus did not meet the criteria for reopening any of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or caused by active service, nor did it manifest within one year of separation. The Board finds the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim and denies entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely related to his military service, including exposure to noise during his duties as an Aerospace Control and Warning Systems Operator. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.