Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) are found to be of such severity that they prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated during active service, within one year of separation from service, or due to any other service-connected condition. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 20 percent prior to June 5, 2017 and increased to 30 percent from that date forward.

The Veteran's hearing loss was found to be noncompensable prior to April 15, 2014.,Since April 15, 2014, the Veteran has been granted a 10 percent disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for his left hip disability. The evidence did not show a current hearing loss disability or sufficient limitation of motion to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum available evaluation of 10 percent.,Prior to September 1, 2015, his bilateral hearing loss disability was not compensable. However, as of that date, it warrants a 10 percent rating.,Effective from September 1, 2015, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and coronary artery disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition. The decision on bilateral hearing loss disability remains pending as it requires additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for hearing loss disability under VA regulations, and thus denied his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is directly related to in-service acoustic trauma, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on the objective audiometric test results.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to schedule a hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are still pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is considered to be incurred in service due to noise exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance, which has been established by medical evidence and consistent lay statements. As a result, the Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and bilateral hearing loss were denied, while his claim for service connection for a neurocognitive disorder was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD; a back disability; and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

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