Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, lumbosacral spine disorder, hearing loss of the left ear, and tinnitus of the left ear as these conditions are related to military service.,Service connection is granted based on direct evidence showing a link between current disabilities and military service.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss has not been found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation tables.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of increased ratings for post-traumatic stress disorder, left ear hearing loss, and coronary artery disease.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, as the Veteran's history of right ear hearing loss was noted in prior records. The claim for left ear hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran was granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, due to combat exposure during his military service.,Service connection was not established for a bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current tinnitus disability to her military service, and thus denied service connection for tinnitus. For bilateral hearing loss, the claim was not substantiated by new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran served in a noisy environment, and there is credible evidence linking his current hearing loss disability to his military noise exposure. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent, the highest available rating under VA regulations for this condition. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability. The preponderance of the evidence was against granting any higher rating.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as to clarify whether the Veteran currently experiences symptoms of tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD and his psychiatric disorder is unrelated to service. His hearing loss disability was not shown during service or at present, meeting VA criteria for a disability. The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed to be related to military noise exposure.,Service connection for a psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), hearing loss, and tinnitus has been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as a Statement of the Case regarding the tinnitus claim.

The appeal is being remanded for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The Veteran's claims will be returned to the Board after this additional development.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and his tinnitus is not service-connected.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been granted service connection effective July 18, 2012. The Board found no legal basis for an earlier effective date or a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is presumed to have been incurred during active duty service and granted service connection.