Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus in September 2008, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities were not related to his active service. The claim was reopened based on new evidence received since then, but the Board found no causal relationship between the disabilities and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his exposure to loud noise during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus between his symptoms and service. The appeal for these claims is denied.

The Board found that the reduction in the disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from 30 percent to 20 percent was not proper, and denied a claim for an increased rating.

The VA determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not warrant higher evaluations based on the provided evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings on several conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss, osteoarthritis of the ankles or knees, hypertension, or gastritis for VA benefits purposes. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Hepatitis C is not related to service, and his bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected right knee disabilities have been denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5257 (for internal derangement) or 5010-5260 (for arthritis).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral visual impairment with SMC, and hypertension have been denied. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent disabling for bilateral flat feet with plantar fasciitis has also been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, left upper extremity scars, and cardiac disability is granted. The evidence shows that the Veteran has these conditions but does not establish a direct link to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a broken nose (including deviated nasal septum) are granted, with the latter finding at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and reliance on insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer and residuals thereof is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current disability was incurred in or caused by his military service. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is also denied as there is no evidence of hearing impairment during active duty, and any increase in hearing loss after service is not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 16, 2011, for a 10 percent rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied. The criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss have not been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disorder is not related to service exposure, and his bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were not related to his service, as there was no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptoms since service separation. The claims for service connection for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was evaluated as non-compensable prior to September 6, 2017 and assigned a 10% rating beginning on that date. The Board found no evidence of increased severity before September 6, 2017.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 40 percent rating for low back pain, muscular with productive and degenerative changes from September 1, 2017. The Board also granted entitlement to a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a bladder disorder. The preponderance of the evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.