Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as 0 percent since July 12, 2011. The RO increased the rating to 10 percent effective October 12, 2013. No higher ratings are warranted for any period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent from October 24, 2011 to the present.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to in-service hazardous noise exposure, but there is uncertainty regarding whether puretone thresholds accurately reflect his current disability level. The decision on service connection for both conditions was granted based on direct evidence of a link between service and symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for additional development on the merits of the appeal, including a review by an examiner who conducted the May 2012 audio examination and addressing inconsistencies in the examination report.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA audiology examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the newly obtained evidence.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is 60 percent, which meets the minimum schedular criteria for TDIU. The Board finds that he is unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus in service. The Veteran's current conditions are not presumed to have been incurred during service due to exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation, Gulf War Syndrome, or other presumptive conditions. Service connection was denied as the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling of a VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied in September 1986. The effective date of the grant of service connection was not earlier than January 3, 2001 for left ear hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss was denied in September 1986. The effective date of the grant of service connection was not earlier than November 5, 2007.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, Meniere's disease, and eczema. The Veteran's claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service. The Board also finds that the Veteran's vertigo is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals on the issues of left knee, left ear hearing loss, and left ear tinnitus have been dismissed as withdrawn. The claim to reopen a back disorder was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as the evidence supports a finding that his current hearing loss was incurred during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been denied. His claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are pending as the VA has not provided a medical opinion regarding their etiology. The Veteran's bladder cancer claim is also pending.

The Board found that the RO's severance of service connection for left ear hearing loss was not proper and restored the Veteran's service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be etiologically related to his military service and the Board finds that he currently has a current disability as a result of in-service noise exposure. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but a new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not manifest within one year of separation from service or are otherwise unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran is found to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and medications prescribed for these conditions.