Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and active service.,For his lumbar spine disability, the claim was granted but not with an increased rating. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination regarding her hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as obtaining any outstanding medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus. The issues of right ear hearing loss and pancreatitis are remanded as there may be outstanding records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for memory loss, TBI, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, stomach disorder, and type II diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss, tinnitus, and back disorder did not begin during or as a result of his active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and his service-connected knee disabilities have not been established. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of his TDIU claim due to the need for updated VA examination records, including those from private providers. The AOJ will then re-adjudicate the claim.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the November 2010 VA medical opinion was inadequate due to insufficient rationale provided.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The initial non-compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains in effect.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an updated audiological examination due to a possible worsening of his hearing loss and the old VA audio examination is now almost four years old.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied by the RO prior to January 7, 2011. The Board has now remanded the case due to a lack of evidence assessing his employability prior to that date.

The Board has withdrawn the issue of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's low back disability is found to be related to service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of current tinnitus. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating for PTSD, with symptoms consistent with moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss and tinnitus did not have onset during active service or within one year of discharge, and were more likely due to occupational noise exposure after military service.

For the increased rating period from November 10, 2009, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss more nearly approximated a 10 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 6100.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss and its impact on employment. The case will also be reviewed to determine if entitlement to TDIU should be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that his claim for a compensable rating has not been met.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss effective December 30, 2009. The Veteran's claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease, and thus could not establish service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling a VA audiological examination.