Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, PTSD, and tinnitus, did not render him unemployable as he had past work experience in a technical role that would have been unaffected by his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with the noise exposure he experienced while serving in the heavy weapons infantry. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a 10% rating for bilateral hearing loss as of March 26, 2015. Prior to this date, his hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a myocardial infarction, finding that the Veteran's current heart condition is proximately caused by his service-connected psychiatric disorder. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion and will be returned to the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA audiologist's opinion on whether the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his active service. The Veteran will have an opportunity to respond to this new information.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to the need for additional medical examination and review of recent medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a cardiovascular disability, based on herbicide exposure during the Vietnam Era, was denied as there is no evidence of such exposure. The Board found that his current cardiovascular disability did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter and there is no competent evidence linking it to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that this evaluation accurately reflects his disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, but granted his claims for erectile dysfunction and hypertension. The decision did not address his PTSD or provide a rating assigned.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 27, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of reopening his service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a videoconference hearing at the RO. The Veteran's appeal includes claims related to various conditions and disabilities, including tinnitus, glaucoma, allergic rhinitis/sinusitis, esotropia, diplopia, hearing loss, hypertension, GERD, and prostate cancer.

The Board has found that the Veteran's low back disorder is not related to his active service and denied the claim. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased initial rating for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. For other conditions, including residuals of heat stroke and hypertension, additional medical examination and treatment records are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA guidelines.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA regulations, and there is no recent diagnosis prior to his filing of the claim. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, as there is not a reliable source of audiometric data. The Board also found that the criteria to establish a TDIU are not met.

The Veteran's appeal seeking an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn by the Veteran's representative. As a result, there are no remaining issues for the Board to consider.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities prior to April 29, 2016.