Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not etiologically related to his period of active duty or ACDUTRA, and may not be presumed to be etiologically related to such service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for left knee, right knee, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 10 percent since April 20, 2010. The evidence does not support a higher rating during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for arthritis due to herbicide exposure, hypertension, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss is granted. Service connection for PTSD is granted with an initial rating of 50% prior to August 1, 2009, and denied in excess of 70% from March 7, 2012.,TDIU was denied prior to August 1, 2009. TDIU was also denied after March 7, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently manifested by audiometric testing results that do not warrant a compensable rating. The Board finds the preponderance of evidence against granting an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was found to be noncompensable prior to September 22, 2015 and a 10 percent rating has been assigned since that date. The Board denied any higher ratings.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during or as a result of active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss or eye disorders for VA purposes and denied service connection for these conditions. The Board also found no link between the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder and his active service, thus denying service connection for this condition as well.

The Veteran's neck/back injury residuals and bilateral hearing loss have been granted service connection. The claim for a higher initial disability rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder is also granted, as are the TDIU claims.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a VA-defined disability, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, as his audiometric results did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was remanded due to outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, left hand disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence does not support the presence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran is granted SMC on the basis of need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70% rating throughout the appeal period, effective June 6, 2012. Prior to December 15, 2015, the Veteran was not precluded from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service aggravation of bilateral hearing loss. The TDIU issue is being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a current VA audiological examination as his service-connected bilateral hearing loss may have worsened since the last evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, syphilis, and herpes. The claim is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that there is a reasonable possibility of establishing service connection due to in-service noise exposure. The conflicting medical opinions are considered and the Veteran prevails.

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

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to acoustic trauma incurred during active service, and the Board has granted service connection for both conditions.