Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes, as his hearing is within normal limits. Therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his herniated nucleus pulposus, lumbosacral strain and degenerative changes, diabetes mellitus, bilateral retinopathy with cataracts associated with diabetes mellitus, residuals of a fractured phalanx, right third toe, high frequency hearing loss of the left ear, and malaria, preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise that the Veteran is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment by reason of his service-connected disabilities and grants TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to January 4, 2017, and a rating in excess of 60 percent from that date was denied. The Board found the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation prior to January 4, 2017 or for a rating in excess of 60 percent as of this date.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are directly related to his military service due to exposure to loud noises.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed as moot due to the grant of 100% schedular rating and SMC based on additional disabilities. The issue of TDIU remains, but it is considered moot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of current disability related to acoustic trauma during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disability, heart disability, extremity numbness, dizziness, eye disability, leg disability, back disability, and neck disability are all denied as the evidence does not support a connection to service or any incident of service origin.

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

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder have rendered him unemployable since November 10, 2009. His service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to May 4, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected left ear hearing loss disability, whether he has a right ear hearing loss disability related to military service, and the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development to determine the current severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, neurogenic bowel disorder, and cervical spine condition. The Veteran also needs VA examinations to address whether his cervical spine condition is related to his active service or service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination, to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed hearing loss and vertigo.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss in the right ear has not reached a level that would warrant a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as the evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional examinations. The issues include evaluating his bilateral hearing loss, service connection for blackouts/seizures, and a left leg disorder secondary to lumbar spine disability.