Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the current severity of his sleep disorder and left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service. Bilateral hearing loss was not shown to be present within one year of separation from service, and there is no evidence linking it to military noise exposure. Tinnitus, however, began during service and continues to this day.

The Board has granted service connection for gastrointestinal disability, irritable colon syndrome, and skin disability. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is also found to be related to service. Service connection for sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) remains pending.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated as noncompensable since June 4, 2010. Effective November 1, 2011, the Veteran is now rated at 50 percent for his migraine headaches.,From November 1, 2011, the Veteran's service-connected conditions have resulted in a combined disability rating of 70 percent or more, qualifying him for consideration of TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate his right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an initial compensable rating, as his current level of hearing impairment is at Level II in both ears.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his request for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for bilateral hearing loss as no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine if his PTSD and bilateral hearing loss prevented him from initiating or completing a program of education during the period from July 1995 to July 2005. The case will then be readjudicated.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection was not established for a left ankle disorder due to lack of evidence showing its onset during active duty or being otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's tinnitus symptoms and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran is asked to clarify when his tinnitus began, provide details about any private treatment or testing related to his hearing loss and/or tinnitus, and obtain all relevant VA treatment records.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions are currently under appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that this is the appropriate evaluation given the audiometric results and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that a TDIU is warranted in this case.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they arose during active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consideration of lay evidence and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and development were not substantially completed, and thus the appeal is REMANDED for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulation, and therefore service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.