Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left ear otitis media were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various conditions, as well as reopening of several previously denied claims. The case is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a video conference Board hearing.

The Veteran was seen for complaints of headaches following a head injury in service and has presented competent and credible evidence that those headaches have persisted since service.,It is as likely as not that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of hearing problems during or shortly after service. The examiner concluded that the onset of symptoms occurred many years post-service discharge and was more likely due to occupational noise exposure from construction work.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was evaluated at a zero percent disability rating, effective April 2008. The Board found that an increased rating for the appeals period is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, DJD and ulnar instability of the left elbow, and cubital tunnel syndrome of the left elbow are related to service. The appeal is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he claims was caused by noise exposure during his military service. The case has been remanded to obtain a new opinion from an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is the result of noise exposure during military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected. However, his pituitary tumor and endocrine imbalance are not found to be related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection, with the rating for tinnitus set at its maximum of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (labyrinthine vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss) result in a combined 40 percent rating. The evidence of record weighs against a finding that the Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the June 1991 rating decision. The Veteran's death benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 were also denied as he did not meet the criteria for total disability compensation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical literature regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus (DM II), and PTSD, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C, gastrointestinal disorder, and headache disorder are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is now shown to be for VA purposes, and the Board finds that it is at least as likely as not related to his active service. As a result, the appeal is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, gout, and hypertension, are found to preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.