Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a back disorder and denied his claim for service connection. The hearing loss issue is remanded.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, effective from the date of the decision. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule him for VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, left knee degenerative joint disease, and associated instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during active duty service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred therein. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board determined that the reduction of the rating for the appellant's service-connected bilateral hearing loss from 20 percent to 10 percent, effective March 20, 2012, was not proper and restored the original 20 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of hypertension, sleep apnea, and a neck disability. The claim for hearing loss was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from November 21, 2003, but his TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claim for service connection for a pars fracture of the lumbar spine is remanded for further development.

The Board denied entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's hearing loss disability does not present an exceptional or unusual picture and does not cause marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization. The appeal is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current neck, shoulder, and elbow pain is not related to service. The preponderance of evidence is against his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss were denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to his active duty service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, asthma, left shoulder disorder, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU are met.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by no more than Level II hearing impairment in the right ear and no worse than Level IV in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating. The criteria for an initial compensable rating have not been met.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability and bilateral eye disability were not found to be service-connected due to lack of evidence showing the presence of these conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board has determined that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the original grant of service connection for left ear hearing loss disability, thus restoring the benefit.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and a need for new examinations. The Veteran's claims of arthritis service connection and initial evaluation for bilateral hearing loss disability are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is causally related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disorder and tinnitus are related to his in-service exposure to loud noise, including from helicopters and rifle and machine gun fire. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.