Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for microalbuminuria (claimed as kidney defect), peptic ulcer, yeast infections, anemia, hematuria and pyelonephritis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection. His foot rash issue was also addressed but no compensable rating could be assigned.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. His bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left hip disability distinct from his service-connected neuralgia of the sciatic nerve affecting his left lower extremity. The only contentions in the record are the Veteran's own statements, which the Board finds insufficient to establish a separate diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss is related to his military service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for a skin disorder remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The maximum schedular evaluation is assigned for the Veteran's tinnitus, and a referral for extraschedular consideration was not warranted.,The Veteran's claim seeking an earlier effective date for the awards of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was also denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and is related to in-service noise exposure, thus granting service connection for tinnitus. The hearing loss claim was not addressed due to a lack of evidence showing clinical onset or etiology.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD was granted. However, his claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability and tinnitus were denied as there is no causal relationship between these conditions and his in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of a higher initial disability rating for tinnitus was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The November 2016 rating decision granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and assigned a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss effective April 15, 2013. The Veteran's appeal of the issue of entitlement to a higher than 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service acoustic trauma, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his noise exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service. The case is therefore REMANDED for further action.

The Veteran's spouse was not assigned as a dependent due to outdated information. The effective date for the assignment of his spouse as a dependent is denied.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his military service.,Service connection for both bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for updated VA evaluations and treatment records, as well as an audiological evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service, including noise exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder and denied his claim for service connection. The hearing loss claim is pending further development.