Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted an initial increased rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and determined that the Veteran's spouse was in need of regular aid and attendance, but the issue of special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance for the Veteran's spouse is dismissed as moot due to her death.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not etiologically related to his active service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately after service. The Board also noted that the Veteran did not seek treatment for these issues during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred during his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his hearing loss began during active duty service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present bilateral hearing loss, as well as whether it is at least as likely as not related to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and pes planum) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the unavailability of his service treatment records and the need for a VA examination to determine if his current hearing loss disability originated during his period of active duty or is otherwise related to it.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as Level II, resulting in a noncompensable evaluation. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as Level I in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board found that the evidence did not show manifestations of hearing loss worse than what was noted during the May 2011 and April 2016 VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure. The Board also finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed right ear hearing disability for VA purposes, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney disability, bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder and/or left shoulder disabilities, as well as his claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD from April 8, 2017. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's seizures did not manifest in service, within one year of service, and are otherwise unrelated to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for seizures was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, spastic quadriparesis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The claim for higher rating on his low back disability was granted but with limitations. No specially adapted housing or temporary total evaluation due to treatment were awarded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of left ear hearing loss and finds no evidence to support a link between his military service and this condition. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine disability prior to November 28, 2011. The Veteran's claim for increased rating was remanded but remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinion and a need for additional evidentiary development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeal regarding his claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining educational records and providing a supplemental opinion regarding secondary service connection.