Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to service, including noise exposure, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling appropriate examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent effective August 4, 2016. The Board grants this rating and also finds that the Veteran meets criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is manifested by audiometric test results corresponding to a number designation of, at most, Level I for his left ear and Level III for his right ear. The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss have not been met.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding new and material evidence. The Board also granted service connection for both conditions based on in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case. The issues on appeal include service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a neurological disorder of the left upper extremity, as well as an increased rating for hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected. The claims for hepatitis C, bilateral foot disabilities, and head injury residuals are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not due to noise exposure during his period of active service, including both in-service and post-service periods. As such, the Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 20 percent from June 21, 2016. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an initial compensable rating prior to June 21, 2016 or a rating in excess of 20 percent from that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues, and he was not able to attend the scheduled hearing. The case will be returned to the AOJ for rescheduling of a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA audiological examination and obtaining relevant treatment records. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and individual unemployability are also being addressed.

Your appeal is being remanded due to the failure to hold a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. You will be scheduled for a hearing at the RO, either in person or by video conference.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss was incurred during active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss is causally related to noise exposure during his active service. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not caused by exposure to acoustic trauma during his military service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was previously rated at 10 percent, and the most recent VA examination in August 2011 confirmed this rating. The Veteran did not attend a scheduled September 2015 VA examination.