Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus disability due to service, and therefore, cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The Veteran's duodenal ulcer with prolapsed gastric mucosa and gastroesophageal reflux disease is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a separate rating for right knee instability were denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spines, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, traumatic brain injury, and allergic rhinitis. The disability ratings remain at their current levels.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran suffers from bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus incurred or aggravated by service. Therefore, both claims for service connection are granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain medical records, provide addendum opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection and remand VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his in-service noise exposure and determined it was more likely due to post-service occupational noise exposure and aging. As a result, service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new examination. The other claims are also being remanded as no SOC has been issued.

The Veteran was granted a 70 percent evaluation for his PTSD with depressive disorder effective July 13, 2012. He is also entitled to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, left leg and foot disability, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, residuals of a left shoulder injury, and migraines. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not have its clinical onset during or as a result of service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable due to the severity of his condition, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's rating schedule.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was within the scope of his earlier claim for hearing loss, and he should be granted an effective date of December 12, 1995.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the onset and relationship of left ear hearing loss and tinnitus to service, specifically periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current disability. The Veteran's residual scar from knee surgery has been rated as non-compensable due to lack of painful or unstable characteristics.