Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board denied reopening the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus in March 2009. New evidence received since then does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims, is not new and material, and therefore the claims may not be reopened.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left ear hearing loss are etiologically related to in-service exposure to hazardous noise levels, and therefore service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including atrial fibrillation, left ear hearing loss, low back disability, GERD, wrist and shoulder disabilities, and vertigo have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have, as likely as not, precluded him from maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work history for the period prior to May 20, 2014.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected as it was continuous since his last period of active service.,The Veteran's depressive disorder is service-connected as it is due to his service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) is denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to non-service connected right lung adenocarcinoma. The preponderance of evidence shows that his need for additional care is due to lung cancer, which is not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board, as there is no evidence of more than noncompensable disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to noise exposure in service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, have not been shown to be of such severity as to preclude his participation in any substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was found to be incurred in service, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military noise exposure. The Veteran's right hip and leg condition were also found to be related to service, though the exact nature of this relationship remains unclear.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 31, 2003 was granted with an initial 70 percent rating effective May 13, 2003.,From July 3, 2003 to October 30, 2003, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted with an 80 percent rating.

The Veteran's hypertension has not been shown to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's psychiatric condition has been rated at 70 percent, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing left ear hearing loss worsened during his active duty service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inpatient treatment and undeliverable mail. The appeal is now pending again.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate medical professional regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is advised that he may be called in for examination if deemed necessary.

The Veteran's service-connected vertigo associated with hearing loss is manifested by occasional dizziness and occasional staggering, which meets the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating under DC 6204.