Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and audiometric test results. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with consideration of all received evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment for the period from October 26, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private and/or VA medical records related to hearing loss since 1961. The Veteran's claim will be re-adjudicated after this development.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than May 19, 2009 for bilateral hearing loss and prostate cancer have been granted. The claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus is partially granted.,An effective date of September 26, 2008 has been assigned for the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual employability (TDIU) prior to August 25, 2008 is being remanded for further development and consideration under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. � 4.16(b).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination regarding whether tinnitus is caused by or a symptom of service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus will be reconsidered with an addendum opinion from an appropriate examiner.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss. However, further development is needed to obtain potentially relevant service treatment records.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his military service. The VA examiner found no nexus between the appellant's current hearing loss and tinnitus and his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a noncompensable evaluation prior to January 28, 2010 and a 30 percent evaluation as of January 28, 2010.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to consider the combined effects of the appellant's service-connected disabilities on his employability, as well as to obtain additional relevant VA medical records and conduct a VA social and industrial survey.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to July 27, 2009 and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, with the benefit of doubt given in his favor.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Board finds that the reduction of the Veteran's 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss to a noncompensable (0 percent) rating was proper, as his condition improved under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has not improved to a level that warrants an increased disability rating, and the current noncompensable rating remains appropriate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to inadequate examination and failure to provide proper VCAA notice.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened and granted. Service connection is also established for left shoulder arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, headaches, PTSD with cognitive disorder, and TBI. The Veteran's hearing loss and hypertension are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate nexus opinions regarding the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by hearing impairment during the entire appeal period no worse than Level I in his right ear and Level I in his left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from June 5, 2006, but not before. He also meets the criteria for a TDIU from January 1, 2009, following a temporary total rating period.