Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of traumatic brain injury are currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective December 15, 2010. The VA examiner found that the Veteran has mild headaches and dizziness due to his TBI, which do not affect his ability to work or daily activities significantly.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as Level I, which corresponds to a noncompensable rating. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to the consistent findings of Level I hearing in both ears throughout the appeal period.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no longer has jurisdiction over the merits of this case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his military service, including noise exposure. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss did not manifest in service, within the one year presumptive period or for many years thereafter, and is unrelated to any noise exposure during active duty service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is likely related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as there are no findings or determinations regarding it.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a current psychiatric disability, likely PTSD or another acquired psychiatric condition. Service connection is also established for sleep apnea. The claim for cluster headaches remains pending.

The Veteran's hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and the Board finds that there is no medical nexus between his current hearing loss disability and service.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7522 as he does not have physical deformity of the penis with loss of erectile power. The VA examiner found no penile deformity in the Veteran's case.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms which most closely equate to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 9411. The Board finds that there is no medical evidence of record supporting an increase in disability rating beyond this level.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not, either individually or collectively, preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional records and a new examination.

The appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining audiometric test results and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to assess his current bilateral hearing loss severity. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they are presumed to have been incurred due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not caused by or a result of acoustic trauma he experienced during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, hypertension, and heart disorder were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since the grant of service connection in January 2015. The current audiometric findings do not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims due to issues related to service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back disability.

The Veteran's application for waiver of premiums on Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (RH) was denied because he did not file his insurance application prior to his 65th birthday, making him ineligible under the applicable laws and regulations.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals in the matters of reopening a claim for left knee disability, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an ulcer; as well as rating increases for lumbar spine and right knee disabilities. As such, there are no remaining issues to be decided by the Board.

The Veteran's authorized representative withdrew his appeals for increased evaluations of PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, as well as his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of his claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied in March 2009. The RO later granted an effective date of June 1, 1973, for both conditions based on the addition of relevant service treatment records.