Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's tinnitus was first manifested during service and is presumed to have been incurred therein. The Veteran does not currently have a right ear disorder other than hearing loss.

The Veteran's hearing impairment has been no worse than Level II in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Board denied the claim as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has ordered additional development to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, private medical records, and arranging for an orthopedic examination of his right knee.

The Board found that the reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was proper, and denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claims for IBS, GERD, and erectile dysfunction have been granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied. Service connection has also been established for a low back disability and a headache disability (to include as due to 8th nerve damage).

The appellant's appeal for service connection for a right knee disorder has been withdrawn. The Board is dismissing the issue as it no longer exists in appellate status.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board will address the issues on remand.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing or incomplete records, including treatment records and documentation of Medicare Part B payments. The Veteran is asked to provide information about his medical care providers and payment history.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. His tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are not service connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability or tinnitus disability, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they did not manifest during active duty or within one year of separation.,The Veteran's hypertension is service-connected as it was present in service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the issue regarding service connection for tinnitus due to a full grant of the benefit sought on appeal with respect to that issue. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not the result of disease or injury in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not service-connected as they were not caused or aggravated by his military service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's current conditions are more likely due to obesity for sleep apnea, and noise exposure is not shown to have caused his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for headaches were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting higher ratings under the applicable criteria.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there was no showing of continuity of symptoms after discharge. The VA examinations indicated mixed hearing loss but did not establish a link to service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the AOJ found that Attorney R.B.G. was entitled to payment of attorney fees from past-due benefits at a rate of 20 percent, totaling $18,523.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable (0%) due to pure tone thresholds and speech recognition scores that do not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board has determined that he does not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's hearing acuity has been, at worst, Level I in his right ear and Level I in his left ear. As a result, he is not entitled to an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination, and the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss may be related to his active duty head injury.