Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) addressing whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a right knee condition, and a left knee condition. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between current hearing loss or PTSD and military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from March 23, 2017. Service connection for residuals of renal cell carcinoma and sinusitis has been granted.

The Veteran is seeking an effective date prior to March 8, 2013, for the award of a 40 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The Board has determined that March 8, 2013, is the earliest date on which VA received the claim for increased compensation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD) rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure and/or diabetes mellitus, resulting in service connection being granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is at least as likely as not caused by in-service noise exposure. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be addressed after obtaining additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability level and symptomatology.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to obtain VA treatment records and conduct a VA examination for his back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is rated at 50% since June 20, 2013. There remains no question of law or fact to decide regarding the effective date claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection, while his left knee disability has been granted a compensable rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate this claim.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a left ankle sprain were denied in 1979. He did not file new claims until June 2015, at which point he was granted service connection with effective dates of June 10, 2015.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found that the evidence did not show a chronic disease during service, and there is no continuous symptomatology since service.

The Veteran is granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status was denied as he is not shown to be bedridden, permanently housebound, in a nursing home, or helpless due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unemployable, as the Board finds that his condition significantly impairs his employability in most occupational environments.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated during his active service and is not otherwise related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology, nor can it be presumed as chronic under 38 C.F.R. § 3.307.