Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, both for accrued benefits purposes, based on the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient VA examination reports and the need for new, sufficient examinations assessing the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction were also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating for the service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board granted an effective date of September 7, 2005 for the assignment of a 40 percent disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, status-post right tympanoplasty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PUD, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss. The evidence did not show a disability picture more nearly approximating moderate or higher for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a new examination for PTSD. The case will be reviewed again after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA medical records, scheduling a VA examination regarding his bilateral hearing loss, bilateral knee disorder, lumbar strain, and PTSD, and updating the claims file with all relevant VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board also finds that there is sufficient medical evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service, including noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his service, with symptoms dating back to when he began college after discharge. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for his right ankle disability was granted in March 2008, and a subsequent 10 percent rating was assigned effective September 24, 2007. The RO also granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss with an initial 20 percent evaluation effective the same date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to non-compliance with previous directives. The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a disability manifesting as vertigo, including BPPV, which may be related to her PTSD or medications used to treat her service-connected disabilities.

The appellant's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for hearing loss, sinusitis, left knee disability, left elbow disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease to obtain additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, lung disability, and kidney disability were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service or any other relevant factors.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability did not manifest within a year of his separation from active duty service and does not have a causal relationship to his military service. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated as noncompensable, and the evidence does not show that his disability warrants a higher rating.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is less likely than not related to his in-service acoustic trauma, and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea remains pending as additional development is necessary.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.