Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The Veteran had noise exposure during service, and credible lay evidence supports continuous symptoms of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus since service. Service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for additional medical examinations. The Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, left shoulder disability, back disability, neck disability, and neurological spine disability are being reviewed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to noise during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a more detailed VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected PTSD and hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to appear for a VA audiological examination and requests that another one be scheduled in Colorado. The Veteran's claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss disability is pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the functional effects of the Veteran's hearing loss on his daily life and occupational functioning.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, but granted service connection for both conditions based on direct evidence of a nexus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated as noncompensable prior to March 6, 2015, and 30 percent thereafter. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are more likely than not related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability and finds that the Veteran's current right ankle disorder is related to his in-service injury. The claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, IBS, GERD, prostatitis, hypertension, degenerative arthritis of right acromioclavicular joints, and triceps muscle injury are addressed on remand.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have hearing loss disability during service and denied his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of tinnitus was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been withdrawn. Effective dates of January 25, 2005 have been granted for his service connection claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, as evidenced by normal audiometric findings during service and no significant post-service onset of hearing problems.

The Veteran seeks effective dates prior to March 8, 2010 for increased ratings of hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus. The Board finds that no earlier effective dates are warranted.,There is no evidence showing an increase in disability within the year prior to the March 8, 2010 claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a broken nose, finding that his current conditions are more likely than not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left knee disability has been withdrawn. The Board has no further jurisdiction in this matter.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding his employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated at a 10 percent disability rating, as his pure tone thresholds do not meet the criteria for exceptional patterns of hearing impairment. The claim for an increased evaluation is denied.

The Veteran's rating for bilateral hearing loss was reduced from 50% to 30%, effective August 1, 2013. The Board found that the reduction was improper and restored the original 50% rating.