Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional information and evidence, including VA examinations for his claimed bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability. The issues of service connection are pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of his current hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has manifested as auditory thresholds and word recognition scores that are noncompensable, resulting in a denial of the claim for a compensable disability rating.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they were incurred during his active duty in Vietnam, where he was exposed to loud noise from artillery firing. The VA examiner concluded that the current hearing impairment is not due to events in service.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, as the evidence did not show it was at least as likely as not that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation solely due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are now rated at 40 percent effective May 5, 2017.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine and tension headaches has been granted at a 50 percent level, effective from the date of claim. The right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, effective from the date of claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II and type I diabetes, bilateral hand disability, low back disability, right knee disability, right hip disability, bilateral wrist disability, and neurological disorder of the lower extremities have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or a link between these conditions and service. The Veteran's claims for increased rating for onychomycosis and dental disorder are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service acoustic trauma, and service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 10 percent from July 2, 2010 to April 16, 2015 and at 40 percent thereafter. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have been incurred in service, as it had its onset during or shortly after his active duty and is related to the noise exposure he experienced while serving in aviation electronics.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for ischemic heart disease. The Board finds that the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service. The claim for increased rating of lumbar spine disability is remanded due to a need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's current complaints regarding his lumbar spine condition suggest a worsening since the last examination in January 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his service and grants this claim. The appeal for tinnitus was withdrawn by the Veteran during his August 2017 hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea are related to his military service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's Meniere's disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to service.,Service connection was denied for all three conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his bilateral ear condition, earlier effective dates for service connection and SMC are all granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision. The case is being remanded for a new VA examination of his bilateral hearing loss and notification regarding TDIU.