Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or current disability within one year after separation from service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss did not manifest in service, within the one year presumptive period, or for many years thereafter, and is unrelated to any noise exposure or other event or occurrence during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a statement from M.J.L., PA. The Veteran's claim for a specially adapted housing grant is being returned to the AOJ for further review.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further development due to conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 60% since November 18, 2016. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, effective from April 7, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied prior to October 13, 2016. On and after that date, the Veteran is granted a 10% disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ear sensorineural hearing loss is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and service, except for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability warrants a rating of 10 percent prior to June 22, 2017 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter. The current effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD at least as likely as not renders him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he meets the schedular requirements for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is caused by his active duty service, and reasonable doubt must be resolved in favor of the Veteran. Therefore, service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss, which was observed upon entry into service, did not worsen during his active duty and thus denied service connection.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an updated VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as non-compensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss, plantar fasciitis, and coronary artery disease status post angioplasty with stent. Service connection was not established for a back disability or for the heart disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to noise exposure during his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.