Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus are causally related to his military service, specifically due to noise exposure during active duty. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss as the mechanical application of VA regulations did not meet the criteria set forth in the rating schedule.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD with claustrophobia, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The increased rating claim for asbestosis is remanded. The TDIU issue remains in appellate status.

The Board found that a timely Notice of Disagreement was not received by VA within one year from the date of notification of the September 9, 2014, rating decision. As such, the appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are due to in-service acoustic trauma, while his left ear hearing loss is not. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's depression is caused by her other service-connected disabilities, specifically her vision loss.,PTSD was not incurred in or caused by the Veteran's service. The Veteran's sleep disorder (insomnia) associated with PTSD and her bilateral eye disorder are also related to her service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 20 percent since July 20, 2010. The Board found that the Veteran is entitled to a higher disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not have its onset in service, was not shown to be related to his active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the Veteran's claimed conditions and determined that service connection cannot be established for any of the issues raised.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 151 for additional right foot disability as there was no evidence of a current disability within the meaning of VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected rhinitis, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The left ear hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and the left dorsal foot metatarsal exostosis was rated as noncompensable prior to July 15, 2016, but rated at 30% thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran currently has a left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes, but does not have a right ear hearing loss disability. The claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete examination reports and clarification of the Veteran's hearing loss diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss disability is related to active service and grants service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for hemorrhoids remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence added to the claims file since the last statement of the case. The issues on appeal include service connection for a bilateral knee disability, a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral hearing loss, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for arthritis of the right hand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, but granted service connection for these conditions based on direct evidence of their onset during service.