Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as non-compensable prior to May 9, 2016 and at a 10 percent rating from that date. The Board found the evidence did not support higher ratings.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his in-service noise exposure and his current conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and service-connected tinnitus are not related, but a new examination is needed to clarify this relationship.

The Veteran's combined rating for service connected disabilities was sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU as of May 14, 2010. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently manifested by audiometric testing results which merit a zero percent (non-compensable) rating, and the criteria for an increased disability rating have not been met.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no periods during the appeal period when a compensable rating would be warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection may be granted, specifically bilateral ankle disability. The claims of entitlement to service connection for pes planus and bilateral hearing loss are denied.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a lung disability and hearing loss, were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or associations with service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely due to noise exposure during his active duty, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss are all related to service. The Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss have been denied as his hearing did not meet VA criteria for a disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as a need for an addendum opinion from the May 2013 VA examiner regarding his bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30% rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show he had hearing loss to a compensable degree prior to October 17, 2012.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss and his in-service noise exposure. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a current VA audiology examination and for further development of the record. The issue remains on appeal regarding an initial increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period. The Board finds that his claim for increased ratings is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lung disability, and diabetes mellitus type II. The decision found that there was no current evidence of a hearing loss disability for VA purposes in either ear, and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as the maximum schedular rating authorized for each condition is 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss in April 2003, finding no evidence of a causal link between his current hearing loss and active duty service. The Veteran has not submitted new and material evidence to reopen this claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is not unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.