Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his disability warrants any rating in excess of those already assigned.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has resulted in marked interference with her employment as a call center professional, and the Board finds that an extraschedular rating of 10 percent is warranted for this period.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 23, 2015 was denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent from April 23, 2015 was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment since August 10, 2000. As a result, the criteria for entitlement to TDIU have been met since that time.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating prior to April 17, 2015, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for psoriasis. The claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability was granted based on new evidence. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not addressed as it preexisted service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are attributable to his active military service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and traumatic brain injury were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule VA examinations for his claimed conditions. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with current evidence showing they were present during service. As such, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective January 28, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 50% evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to have had its onset in service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service and that there is a continuity of symptomatology since discharge.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lower back disability and to determine if he has bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The claim for tinnitus is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye disorder and back disorder were withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision. The claim for increased rating for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to new evidence of worsening.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology. The VA examiner found the current hearing loss and tinnitus less likely than not caused by or a result of an event in military service.

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