Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a psychiatric disorder other than depressive disorder, specifically PTSD and unspecified trauma and stress related disorder (sub threshold PTSD), has been granted. The appeal regarding the restoration of ratings for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a dental disability need further examination and analysis. The case is being remanded to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and found that the Veteran's current tinnitus is due to noise exposure in service. The claim of bilateral hearing loss was also granted, with a finding that it is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss were denied, while his claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran, he is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the cause of the Veteran's death is related to his service-connected disabilities, specifically the morphine prescribed for his service-connected left knee disability. As a result, the Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lung condition. The AOJ must also verify any in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's conductive hearing loss disability was rated at 10 percent prior to January 18, 2016 and increased to 10 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition or its impact on daily life.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded it for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his most recent audiometric results did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, as there is no persuasive medical evidence linking these conditions to noise exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and are unrelated to any noise exposure in service. Therefore, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional service records and arranging for VA examinations to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss and left knee disability are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. Service connection was not established for hearing loss, low back disorder, or left eye disorder. Increased rating claims were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to February 22, 2016 and in excess of 20 percent on and thereafter. The preponderance of evidence is against awarding higher ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disabilities, venous insufficiency, hypertension, sleep apnea, and morbid obesity. The decision found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and for any outstanding VA treatment records to be secured.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss does not present such an exceptional or unusual disability picture with marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization, and therefore, a compensable disability rating on an extraschedular basis is denied.