Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD, sleep apnea, and hypertension are all found to be service-connected. The Veteran is granted an initial non-compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted by the AMC in an August 2016 rating decision, effective February 14, 2011. The appeal concerning bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The claims for service connection for sickle cell trait, liposarcoma, and residuals of heat exhaustion are pending and will require further examination to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection as they are related to in-service acoustic trauma. The right ear hearing loss claim is being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he claims is related to his military service and/or secondary to his service-connected tinnitus. The Board finds that a remand is necessary due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the hearing loss.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's heart disability is presumed due to his service in Vietnam and exposure to herbicides. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for a current disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA clinical records and audiometric testing results. The case will be returned to the Board if further action is required.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Cold injury residuals of the right and left lower extremities are also found to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the current severity and impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work. The case will be readjudicated after these examinations.

The Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and the Board finds that service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain an addendum VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, taking into consideration his complete history of noise exposure.

The Veteran is unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities, which include headaches, major depressive disorder, lumbosacral strain, cervical strain, hearing loss of the right ear, status post nasal bone fracture, and a burn scar of the right forearm. As such, the criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Veteran withdrew all pending appeals, including the appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and status post concussion with dizziness preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated at 60 percent since September 6, 2012. The criteria for a rating of 60 percent for cardiomegaly have been met from the date of claim until August 11, 2009. As of August 12, 2009, the Veteran's cardiomegaly is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is connected to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran died from a head injury sustained as a result of a fall, with contributing causes of hypertensive cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. The cause of death is unrelated to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and arranging for examinations to determine the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hallux valgus disabilities. The AOJ should review the claims and readjudicate them if necessary.