Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of cancer to the back of the tongue were denied as these conditions are not related to his military service. The claim for residuals of cancer to the back of the tongue was granted based on presumed exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA audiology examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred during or aggravated by his military service, and the Board finds that it is more likely related to post-service noise exposure with his employment as a railroad carman.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that his current hearing loss is related to otosclerosis, a genetic condition, and not due to in-service acoustic trauma or other exposure. The tinnitus was found to be related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss with history of otitis media and otitis externa, right ear otitis media and otitis externa, and tinea pedis have been rated as noncompensably disabling (0%). The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a Central Office hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and coronary artery disease are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

From December 29, 2010 to October 10, 2012, the Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 60 percent and his tinnitus at 10 percent.,The Veteran is now entitled to a 100 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss as of October 10, 2012. He also qualifies for SMC based on deafness in both ears starting from that date.,Prior to October 10, 2012, the Veteran was granted TDIU.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. With reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran, both conditions are now considered related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to attempt to corroborate his presence in Vietnam for diabetes, and to obtain missing VA treatment records and a new VA examination for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military service.,The Veteran's lower back disability has been rated as 40 percent disabling, with no higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is currently evaluated as noncompensable. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating and concludes that the current evaluation adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and low back disorder are service-connected, with no new evidence required.

The case is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and recurrent lumbar strain and L5-S1 disc herniation. The TDIU claim is also part of this appeal.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU effective August 10, 2010, due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of postoperative prostate cancer, PTSD, diabetes, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss are reasonably shown to be of such nature and severity as to prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment. Therefore, a TDIU rating is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that TDIU is not warranted.