Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ear hearing loss prior to January 11, 2005 and for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss from January 11, 2005 were denied. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety was also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 30 percent since June 20, 2011. The evidence does not support a higher rating during this period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is not attributable to service or a service-connected disease or injury, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The VA determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during his active duty or within one year of separation, and are not otherwise related to service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not cause impairment consistent with an extraschedular disability rating in excess of 10 percent, and therefore denied entitlement to an extraschedular rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are directly related to his active service, with no indication of any other etiology. As such, these conditions have been granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot disability and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The claim for increased rating for back disability was not addressed as it is remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, including exposure to loud sounds therein. The Veteran did not have a hearing disability at service entry or separation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not shown to be worse than Level I in either ear from March 21, 2005, to October 20, 2011. As a result, he is not entitled to a compensable rating for this period.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional development and an opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and her service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his exposure to acoustic trauma during military service. The benefit of doubt has been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding service connection for coronary artery disease and reopening claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The case is being remanded to the AOJ for further development and consideration of service connection claims, including a new VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or PTSD that is related to his period of active military service. The VA examiners provided opinions concluding that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not due to noise exposure during service, and there is no evidence linking PTSD to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20 percent from January 24, 2011 to December 8, 2011. The rating is denied for the periods prior and after these dates.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence submitted since the August 2005 rating decision. However, a VA examination is needed to determine if service connection should be granted.