Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. As such, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to undeliverable mail, and the AOJ must ascertain the correct address and send a copy of the August 2016 Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) with any other pertinent communications.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss did not manifest during or as a result of active military service. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding that his current left ear hearing loss is related to service.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, including whether any preexisting condition was aggravated by service. The July 2015 VA medical opinion did not substantially comply with the May 2015 remand directives and an addendum opinion is required.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to incomplete development and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss was incurred in service due to exposure to noise during his second period of active duty. The pterygium of the left eye is found to have been aggravated by service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the issue of entitlement to TDIU based on this disability remains unresolved. The Board found that the Veteran does not have sufficient hearing impairment to warrant a compensable evaluation under VA's Rating Schedule.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, including conceded noise exposure. The issue of whether left ear hearing loss was caused by an injury in service as alleged by the Veteran will also be addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back disability, right ear sensorineural hearing loss, and left ear sensorineural hearing loss. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service or in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain a new VA examination and opinion regarding his claims of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left knee disability. The examiner must consider the Veteran's lay statements about the onset and continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his active military service and therefore denies the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following all forms of substantially gainful employment prior to December 27, 2013.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at 10% and his bilateral hearing loss was granted a 30% rating effective November 13, 2013. The appeal for an earlier effective date remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for vertigo or dizziness and a skin disability. The decision also noted that his hearing loss and tinnitus were less likely than not incurred in service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and increased evaluations for chronic fatigue syndrome were denied. The claim for increased evaluation of chronic fatigue syndrome was granted to a 20% rating effective from April 17, 2013, but not granted beyond that date.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability is related to active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to failure to obtain VA audiograms from January 2008 and December 2009, as well as other pertinent VA medical records. The case is also being remanded for further development of the tinnitus claim, psychiatric disorder claim, and hearing loss claim.

The Veteran's mood disorder, including PTSD and depression related to hearing loss, has been rated at 50 percent since January 13, 2010. The symptoms have resulted in reduced reliability and productivity but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.