Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during service or within one year after separation. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran had bilateral sensorineural hearing loss but did not find any current diagnosis for his claimed right rib disorder or right foot disorder.,The decision denied all issues related to service connection due to lack of evidence linking the disabilities to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to their combined rating of 60 percent, which is less than the minimum schedular requirement of 70 percent.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 20 percent from December 29, 2010 to February 6, 2011 and at 10 percent from February 7, 2011 to June 19, 2016. The claim for a higher rating is denied as the disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent from June 20, 2016.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is manifested by level I or II hearing in each ear, and does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by his service-connected disabilities, specifically bilateral hearing loss and epidermophytosis of the feet. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions did not cause or contribute to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's left eye disorder is service-connected as it was caused by the in-service PRK surgery.,There is no evidence of a right eye disorder being related to service. The current diagnosis of dry eyes with superficial corneal changes may be due to chronic lens wear, not in-service PRK.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely related to acoustic trauma during service.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were caused or aggravated by service, including exposure to noise. Therefore, both conditions are granted as service connected.

The Board denied service connection for a sleep disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of current disabilities or causation related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to loud noise from artillery and mortars. Therefore, service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his period of active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or any significant changes in hearing during service. The VA examiner found that the disabilities are less likely than not caused by military noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 80 percent, effective May 6, 2015. The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise as to the severity of his hearing impairment and granted an 80 percent rating for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has not been manifested by hearing acuity worse than Level II in both ears. For the initial rating period from February 10, 2006 to August 27, 2008, his service-connected chronic lumbar strain was manifested by forward flexion of the lumbar spine limited at most to 70 degrees and painful motion without ankylosis. Since October 19, 2010, his service-connected chronic lumbar strain has not been manifested by unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or the entire spine.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and acoustic neuroma. The evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to service or any incident of service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not incurred in service, including from acoustic trauma during World War II. As such, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board videoconference hearing. The issues on appeal are entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to a compensable evaluation for irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition. The decision on bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed in the current appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and is now granted. Bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and ischemic heart disease are also found to be related to military service.