Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially and materially to his cause of death, leading to dementia. The Board finds that the evidence supports the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability during or as a result of his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss was aggravated during his active duty service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hearing loss had its onset in service and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU has been referred to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a new VA medical opinion regarding whether these conditions were caused by noise exposure during his active service.

The Veteran's hearing loss was reduced from 60% to 0%, effective December 1, 2009. The reduction was proper as the Veteran's hearing improved and met criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and bruxism were both denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 10% for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as Level V, corresponding to no higher than a noncompensable rating. The Board finds that this level of impairment does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU beginning on December 6, 2006 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU beginning on and after November 30, 2015 is moot as it would be a duplication of the existing disability picture.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during or as a result of active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's pre-existing left ear hearing loss was presumed to have been aggravated by service, and the Board finds that the presumption of aggravation has not been rebutted. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations, resulting in the denial of his claims for increased ratings and service connection.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his subsequent claim for an increased rating since July 2, 2016, was also denied.

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

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinea pedis do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, finding that it was aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain.,Right ear hearing loss is not shown to meet VA criteria for a disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to loud noise during his duties as an aircraft mechanic. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss has been rated at 40 percent since February 20, 2013. The VA reduced this rating to 20 percent effective April 1, 2016, based on a subsequent examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.