Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits based on service-connected disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected conditions prior to November 13, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tension headaches, hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and a need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing impairment has been characterized by Level I hearing impairment in both ears prior to June 16, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for Multiple Sclerosis, Depression as secondary to MS, and Tinnitus due to MS. Service connection for Bilateral Hearing Loss is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left ear hearing loss, and right shoulder disability have been granted. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for other conditions are denied.,No effective date has been assigned as the evidence is not sufficient to establish when these disabilities began.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to be service-connected, and his tinnitus is secondary to his service-connected hearing loss. The right ear hearing loss does not meet the VA criteria for a disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to January 31, 2011 for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disease (asbestosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as evidenced by VA examination findings and the lack of in-service evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions. Updated treatment records must also be obtained.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and bilateral hearing loss have been rated based on their service-connected status, but the claims for higher ratings are denied as there is no evidence of incapacitating episodes or significant functional impairment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the reduction from a 50% to a 20% rating for bilateral hearing loss was improper and restored the original 50% rating effective February 1, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and PTSD were denied, while the claim for service connection for dysequilibrium was denied. The initial evaluation for PTSD remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of outstanding medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder condition, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disorder did not manifest in service or are otherwise related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing and arranging for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his lung disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further proceedings consistent with a December 2014 Joint Motion for Remand (JMR). The Veteran's claim is being returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to acoustic trauma in service, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.