Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that there is no diagnosed concussive disability during the appeal period. Therefore, service connection for a concussion disability cannot be established.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The VA medical opinion is inadequate and the case is remanded for a new examination to determine if any current bilateral hearing loss was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is presumed service connected, his hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for a disability rating, and he was granted a 10% rating for GERD.

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

The Board has determined that the July 2012 VA examination opinion is not adequate to decide the claim and has ordered a supplemental opinion. The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus may also contribute to his hearing loss, which needs to be evaluated.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including ischemic heart disease, PTSD, type II diabetes mellitus, low back disability, and others, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise as to whether he is unemployable due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar pain syndrome, left ankle limited motion, and lower extremity radiculopathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. The case will be remanded for a supplemental opinion regarding these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely due to noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine disorder were denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and left knee disorder are remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA audiological examination and consideration of the TDIU claim. The higher rating for bilateral hearing loss and the TDIU claim will be reconsidered in light of all evidence.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted a 10 percent rating for lichen simplex chronicus. The decision is mixed as it addressed both issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss is not related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated at 70 percent effective from April 11, 2012. The RO found that the Veteran's disability picture warranted a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability, left ear hearing loss disability, and left shoulder disability.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have left ear hearing loss or otosclerosis that is related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from the Biloxi Vet Center and providing a VA examination to assess the Veteran's ability to work due to his service-connected disabilities. The appeal is not yet decided.