Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since November 16, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is the result of an injury during active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for a service-connected disability in all cases.

The Veteran's hearing impairment has been evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, with no evidence of exceptional patterns warranting higher ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral hearing loss disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since June 8, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities as pertains to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The issue of service connection for a psychiatric disability, claimed as secondary to service-connected disease or injury, is referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance has been granted. The hearing loss claim remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 50 percent disabling throughout the rating period, and no higher rating is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is etiologically related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's medical records and requested that he provide authorization for any private treatment records. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and DDD, lumbar spine.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be related to service exposure to acoustic trauma, and he has continuous symptoms since service separation. Service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the medical opinions currently of record, and an additional VA examination is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and dysthymic disorder contributed to his death from drowning due to balance issues caused by the hearing loss.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as non-compensable, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. As such, the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a wound to the back of the head, lumbosacral spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, sleep apnea, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and pes planus of the right foot was granted. The effective date is April 11, 2012.