Hearing loss Board decisions

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

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss disability, effective from July 1, 2014.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims. The case is being remanded to comply with these orders.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for emphysema/COPD, higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, and a TDIU from May 12, 2008 to December 8, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current level of hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 70 percent since March 19, 2015. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is not shown to have had its onset during service, was not manifested to a compensable degree within one year following his separation from service in September 1967, and is not related to an injury or event in service. As such, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was found to be within normal limits on VA audiological testing. Therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has determined that a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is warranted as of August 30, 2016. Prior to this date, the Veteran's hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations of posttraumatic stress disorder and bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal on the issue of the evaluation of PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military noise exposure.,Service connection was denied for left hip replacement and right hip replacement due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a combined evaluation of 70 percent, which is high enough to warrant TDIU from September 13, 2010 to August 6, 2013. The effective date for service connection for PTSD has been set at June 9, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss in his left ear is a result of service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The Board also finds that there is no evidence to support the claim of ophthalmologic sarcoidosis being related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss remains on appeal, and the Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for a new VA audiology examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his military service.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of the record, including sending an SOC with respect to his skin disorder claim and scheduling a video conference with a member of the Board.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues related to bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, type II, and anxiety disorder prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a hearing request and pending appeal to the Court.