Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and scheduling of a video conference hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities as defined by VA regulation. The examiner must also opine on whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right ankle fracture, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of current disabilities or causation due to military noise exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, as there was no evidence of chronic symptoms during or immediately after service and the post-service hearing difficulties were not shown until many years later.

The Veteran's PTSD and alcohol dependence symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including difficulty concentrating, hypervigilance, depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss, disturbances in motivation and mood, and impairment of relationships. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and alcohol dependence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss are service-connected. The decision is based on a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus with retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, tinnitus, coronary heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction, are rated at a combined 80 percent. The Board finds that these conditions render the Veteran unemployable due to their severity and his limited education and work experience.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is etiologically related to his in-service exposure to acoustic trauma, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that his symptoms began during service and continue to this day. The hearing loss claim was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an adequate audiology examination to determine the current nature and severity of his bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be re-adjudicated after any further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with symptoms beginning during or shortly after service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss, but remanded for additional development on other issues.

The Veteran's request for service connection for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to a scheduling error. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantial gainful employment, thus the claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for nerve damage to the cervical spine, a herniated muscle in left medial leg, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a bilateral shoulder disorder. The Veteran was granted a 60 percent rating for right knee degenerative joint disease with residuals of partial knee replacement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability, as the most recent audiometric testing did not show impairment meeting VA compensation criteria. For the claim involving joint stiffness in the ankles, hips, and elbows, there was insufficient evidence to establish that it is related to service or Gulf War exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently manifested by no more than level II hearing impairment in the right ear and level IV hearing impairment in the left ear, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to incomplete records, insufficient information regarding the onset of her conditions during service, and the need for additional medical opinions.