Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and hearing loss did not render him unemployable prior to June 17, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to failure to report for a scheduled Board hearing and other procedural issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, sleep disturbances, right ear hearing loss, and increased ratings for his right ring finger disability due to lack of evidence meeting VA criteria for current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability in his left ear, but he has a current right ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The evidence shows that the Veteran had acoustic trauma during service and currently experiences symptoms of tinnitus since service. Service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 5, 2012 for the grant of service connection for hearing loss cannot be granted as there is no evidence indicating he filed a claim before this date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, are of sufficient severity to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the severity of his knee, low back, and left ankle disabilities. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability and the relationship between his service-connected left ear hearing loss disability. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as Level II in all periods of the appeal, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating. The Board found that this evaluation adequately reflects his disability level and symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches/dizziness have been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, there is no current diagnosis of a traumatic brain injury or service-connected psychiatric disability other than PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and secure substantial gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unemployable, as they significantly impact his ability to work in his prior capacity as a geologist.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and for a new VA examination. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee DJD as secondary to the service-connected residuals of a fractured left femur, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not caused by or a result of noise exposure during active service. The claim for sleeping problems is remanded due to lack of diagnosis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and consideration of his hearing loss claim, including a review of the medical evidence and an updated VA examination. The effective date of service connection has been revised to October 2004.