Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability with an effective date of February 19, 1974. The claim was previously denied in June 1974 and January 1975 due to lack of evidence of increased severity of hearing loss in service. New evidence received after these decisions, including relevant service department records, has been considered.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability ratings are denied as there is no evidence of impairment warranting a compensable rating prior to March 10, 2016 and the current findings do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lung disorder are not supported by competent evidence linking these conditions to service. The preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claims.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his military service, including in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's hearing acuity improved during service and upon discharge.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection. The cold injury of the bilateral feet was not established as incurred in service.

The Board has granted an initial disability evaluation of 40 percent for a bilateral hearing loss disability, effective from November 4, 2015. The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the submission of new evidence in January 2017.

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

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% disabling effective July 26, 2010. As a result of this rating, he is eligible for special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) due to having additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more (housebound rate). The Veteran's TDIU claim is moot as his PTSD alone meets the criteria for a total disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Board hearing. The appeal is not ready for final decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, increased ratings for low back disability and left foot disability, and entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound allowance. The reduction from a 10 percent rating to a noncompensable rating for left ankle scar was also found improper. TDIU was not granted.

The Board has determined that a new VA audiological examination and opinion is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as the previous examiner's opinion was inadequate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision is final as to these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's puretone thresholds were within normal limits during her military service and there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating from 30 percent to noncompensable for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was proper due to actual improvement in his overall disability. The RO had previously increased the disability rating to 30 percent effective March 21, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military noise exposure and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran also requested a videoconference hearing at the RO to discuss his PTSD claim.

The Veteran's claim for initial compensable and subsequent increased evaluations for bilateral hearing loss prior to January 29, 2014, and on or after that date was denied. The current evaluation of 40 percent is considered appropriate based on the audiometric findings.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to concerns about the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinion addressing the Veteran's lay statements regarding noise exposure.