Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for right knee disability and granted it. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.,The evidence received since the June 2004 decision supports reopening the Veteran's claim, but does not provide sufficient evidence to grant a higher rating for his right knee disability or bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran is prevented from securing and following substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD. The Board finds that the evidence supports that he suffers severe PTSD symptoms which prevent him from obtaining employment outside of his home.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss but is unable to determine if there was clear and unmistakable error in the May 2005 decision. The new evidence received since that time supports a later onset date for complete hearing loss in the Veteran's right ear, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to her service, including noise exposure during service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service onset or chronicity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current diagnosis of a hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations. The claims for increased ratings for left knee chondromalacia and lateral laxity were not adjudicated in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss based on continuity of symptoms since service, which is considered presumptive under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a diagnosis within one year of separation. The Veteran's reports of onset after service do not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was initially rated as noncompensable prior to April 28, 2014. From April 28, 2014 to January 19, 2015, the rating was increased to 10 percent. Since then, the rating has been further increased to 30 percent effective December 3, 2015.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable since December 1, 2009. The VA examinations showed that the service-connected left ear had a numeric designation of IV and the nonservice-connected right ear had a numeric designation of I.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied because there is no evidence of a hearing disability within one year of separation from service. His claim for NSC pension was also denied as he did not meet the income and net worth thresholds required for the benefit.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and is now considering the increased rating claim for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, rated at 10 percent, has not improved and continues to result in a 10 percent rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal request from the appellant.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing on all issues currently on appeal.

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, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Board video conference hearing at a location proximate to his current domicile.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case as a result.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including noise exposure during his time as a helicopter pilot. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development to determine the severity of his service-connected cervical spine spondylosis, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, bilateral shoulder disorder (claimed as Degenerative Joint Disease), bilateral knee disorder (claimed as Degenerative Joint Disease), bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran also needs a new examination to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.