Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss from January 30, 2001 and a rating in excess of 10 percent from August 19, 2003 to April 2, 2005 was denied. The Board also found that the criteria for a TDIU prior to April 2, 2005 were not met.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to service. As such, service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment prior to February 13, 2017.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not service-connected as there is no current disability for VA compensation purposes.,There is no evidence of a skin condition of the hands that is related to his service-connected tinea pedis. The Veteran's dry skin on the hands was likely due to another condition, such as psoriasis.,The Veteran's skin condition of the feet is not service-connected as there is no current disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently manifested by no worse than a Level I hearing loss in the left ear and a Level II hearing loss in the right ear, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The examiner will determine if the Veteran has current hearing loss and whether it is at least as likely as not caused by noise exposure during active duty.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining complete VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities. The Veteran must also be scheduled for a new examination before service connection can be decided on the merits for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including right knee disability and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, were granted. The specific ratings assigned are provided in the decision summary.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to military service and he has been granted service connection for this condition. The claim for migraine headaches was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the claimed disorder, and the diabetes mellitus claim is remanded due to a need for additional development.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia was granted a higher rating of 40 percent effective July 10, 2013. Service connection for the back condition and bilateral hearing loss were denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have begun during service and is therefore granted as incurred in service. The bilateral hearing loss claim remains pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's request for a hearing via video conference has been granted, and the case is being remanded to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at the maximum schedular disability rating of 100 percent since June 27, 2011.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as non-compensable since July 2011. The VA audiological examinations have shown that the Veteran's hearing acuity in both ears is currently at Level I, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss, tinnitus, or a heart condition during service and denied the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was previously rated as noncompensable. From August 10, 2016, a 10% disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide clarifying opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and low back disability.