Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore grants entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied an earlier effective date prior to August 18, 2010 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was remanded and a VA examiner found that his left ear hearing loss is related to service, while his right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, while his hypertension is not due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The appeal was denied as there was no evidence of in-service disease or injury resulting in these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to combat noise. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA audiological evaluation and a need for another examination. The Veteran's first language is Russian, which may have affected previous evaluations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not begin during or as a result of his military service, including any noise exposure. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been evaluated as non-compensable throughout the appeal period based on audiometric testing results.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 40 percent prior to January 20, 2017 and at 50 percent on or after that date. The appeal is denied as the rating assigned does not exceed what is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied. His bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 40% prior to April 19, 2013 and increased to 60% from December 15, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion from an appropriate VA examiner to assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employment. The claim will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted with an initial disability rating of 10 percent. Service connection for lymphoma due to ionizing radiation exposure is granted. Bilateral hearing loss is service connected and rated at 0 percent. COPD is not service connected. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is not service connected.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been presented to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss was aggravated during his active duty for training, and therefore service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as the previous examination did not provide sufficient rationale for its conclusions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, neck disorder, and TBI have been granted. The Board has broadened the claims to include consideration of various other diagnoses.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is due to in-service acoustic trauma and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied. The Board found that the criteria for a rating higher than 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss were not met at any time during the appeal period, and no higher schedular evaluation is warranted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for stroke residuals, dementia, and hemorrhoids were denied. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be at Level I in both ears, warranting a noncompensable rating.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was received after the SOC and a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) should be issued.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and a neurological examination for his claimed left ear disability. The issues of service connection for left ear hearing loss, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability are on appeal.