Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a back injury, to include sciatica and erectile dysfunction (claimed as residual of treatment for pneumonia), as well as psychiatric disability, asbestos-related disease, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or any related in-service events.

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

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues, including the reopening of a claim for left ear hearing loss and rating claims for knees and ears, require additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's lay testimony is credible and resolving any doubt in his favor. The claim of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed by the January 2010 VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The current rating of 50% is maintained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not related to his active service, including exposure to noise during military service. As such, the claims for service connection for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with the effective date set at May 12, 2014. The Veteran was awarded service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from substantially gainful employment, and therefore the criteria for a TDIU have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss worsened during his service in the Air Force Reserves, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new opinion regarding his bilateral foot disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that it was aggravated during active duty from June 2008 to July 2009. The right ear hearing loss is not addressed as the Veteran's claim remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination as his hearing loss has worsened since his last examination.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting a VA examination. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are caused by his service-connected eustachian tube dysfunction.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding new and material evidence. The Veteran's hearing loss is found to be incurred in service, and his tinnitus is also found to be incurred in service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than February 4, 2012 for a 100% evaluation for anxiety disorder is denied as the earliest ascertainable date of increased symptomatology was within one year of her initial claim.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as they were not received until after February 16, 2010, which is the earliest possible effective date based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus has been denied as there is no legal basis to assign a higher evaluation. The Veteran is already receiving the maximum schedular rating for tinnitus.

The Board found no evidence of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus in service, and the current conditions are not related to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.