Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for a TDIU, as his combined disability rating is at least 40% and he cannot secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted as service-connected.,Service connection for pain in joints, a blood disorder, and PTSD has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, and the Board is dismissing this matter.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a finding of in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss. Service connection was also granted for tinnitus as secondary to the service-connected bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection is now established for bilateral hearing loss due to acoustic trauma during active service and service connection is also established for tinnitus as secondary to the service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a new examination, and considering all pertinent evidence.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to various conditions and service connection claims. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and ensuring all relevant VA treatment records are associated with the file.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and essential tremor (including Parkinson's disease) are related to his military service. The claim for PTSD is denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed mental disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right hip as secondary to a service-connected right knee condition. The claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic otitis media have been denied. The claim for TDIU is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of a claim prior to November 12, 2013.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to missing records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's initial claim of an increased rating for ischemic heart disease was granted, with a current evaluation of 60 percent. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for a balance disorder, to include BPPV, as secondary to his service-connected ear conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are rated as 60% combined, meeting the schedular requirements for TDIU. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable due to his inability to hear properly.

The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is reasonably shown to be related to acoustic trauma during service, and the Board affirms that he meets the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not service-connected, and his left ear hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of unemployability due to these conditions alone.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability. The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is denied, and the claim for VA burial benefits is also denied as it is not timely filed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing acuity does not warrant a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.