Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss warrants a noncompensable (zero) disability rating throughout the appeal period.

The Board finds that the Veteran has bilateral hearing loss as a result of his active service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claim can be decided on the merits, including obtaining VA audiological examination and service personnel records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his condition did not warrant a higher evaluation based on the VA examination results.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain private treatment records from the Medical University of South Carolina. The case will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability originated during his active duty service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as his current hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acid reflux was granted, and he received an initial noncompensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss. The appeal is also granted as the Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is due to his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss, as his audiometric results did not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations. Therefore, service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case to schedule a videoconference hearing for the Veteran due to his request. The appeal is also remanded for additional development on the issues of evaluating bilateral hearing loss disability and reopening claims for bilateral foot, knee, and leg disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral hearing loss disability with an effective date of February 19, 1974. The previous denial was due to lack of evidence of increased severity in service compared to pre-service levels.

The Veteran's service connection claims for prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, erectile dysfunction, and right ear hearing loss are all granted due to exposure to Agent Orange during his military service. The Veteran is also granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his prostate cancer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his exposure to acoustic trauma during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent since the grant of service connection in December 2010. The current VA examinations show auditory acuity levels that do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. The Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the criteria for TDIU have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing left ear hearing loss did not worsen during service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.