Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus, as the evidence supports that it originated during his active service. The appeal for bilateral hearing loss disability was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 9, 2014 and did not meet criteria for a higher rating from that date forward.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptoms since service are sufficient to establish current disability. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The AOJ is now tasked with addressing the remaining issues on appeal, including service connection for a hip disorder and PTSD, as well as higher ratings for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete audiogram results from an August 2014 VA audiology evaluation. The claim is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims due to the submission of new evidence since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA and private treatment records, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination regarding his upper extremity neuropathy, and determine if he has service connection for intraforaminal disc herniation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right shoulder disability and granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for bilateral knee disability and bilateral hearing loss are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify employment history, obtain private medical records, and provide an additional VA examination addressing the effects of his PTSD on his employability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's ear disorder and its relationship to his military service.

The Veteran is seeking a reduction in his disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from 60 to 50 percent, effective January 2, 2013. He also seeks a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are found to have incepted during active duty service due to acoustic trauma experienced while serving in the Republic of Vietnam, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting right ear hearing loss did not increase in disability during service or worsen beyond its natural progression, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence in the November 2009 VA audiological examination report and needs a new medical examination of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since the grant of service connection in May 2012. The VA audiological examinations conducted during the appeal period have shown that his bilateral hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is not related to in-service noise exposure. As such, service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran experienced chronic hearing loss and tinnitus symptomatology during service, continuous after discharge, and currently has diagnosed disabilities. Therefore, service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss were denied as the evidence does not support a finding of current disability related to his military service.