Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss or sleep apnea as his conditions are not causally related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and anxiety disorder NOS are all service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that her current hearing loss did not have its onset during or as a result of her active duty service.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records. The Veteran's claims are not yet decided.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 18, 2014, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his attorney prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he is limited to moderate physical and sedentary work not involving extensive social interaction.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has not approximated the criteria for a compensable rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is considered a disability for VA purposes, he was exposed to acoustic trauma in service, and the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether in-service acoustic trauma caused his hearing loss. The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability cannot be disassociated from the in-service exposure to acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, blood clots of the right leg, hemoptysis (claimed as blood in the sputum), and chondroma of the left ring finger due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, bilateral eye disability (other than ptosis), and right hip disability due to lack of evidence showing a current disability related to service.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and remands the case for further development, including a new opinion from an examiner who will consider all audiometric findings in the Veteran's service treatment records.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is requested to provide clarification on whether he wants his VA examination rescheduled or if he wishes to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's right knee was granted a 20% rating effective August 12, 2010. The left knee patellofemoral syndrome is rated at 10%. The extension of the temporary total rating for the right knee beyond March 2009 has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The RO continued a noncompensable evaluation for the disability prior to October 15, 2012 and later increased it to 10 percent effective from October 15, 2012, and to 30 percent effective from February 27, 2013. The claim remains in appellate status as the highest possible benefit has not been awarded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right perforated ear drum were initially granted service connection effective August 27, 2007. The RO assigned a noncompensable disability rating for the period prior to February 27, 2013.