Hearing loss Board decisions

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

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it, finding that new evidence received since the last denial is sufficient to reopen the claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right and left ear hearing loss disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no significant change in hearing thresholds during service. The preexisting left ear hearing loss disability did not worsen due to service exposure.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including any in-service noise exposure. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded gainful employment as of March 1, 2006. The Board granted TDIU effective March 1, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, while his claim for a back disorder is denied due to lack of evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches due to potential issues with the examination provided in June 2010. Additional treatment records are needed.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran had level II hearing in each ear, which warranted a noncompensable rating under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating prior to September 24, 2014 and a higher than 40 percent rating thereafter for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of any additional ratings.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to clarify whether the Veteran's need for aid and attendance or housebound status is due to his service-connected disabilities alone, as he asserts.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his exposure to Agent Orange and the nature, extent, severity, and manifestations of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule him for appropriate VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, and service-connected malformed right rib status post fracture.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, a sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression). The decision is based on the lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video-conference hearing. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ after the hearing is conducted.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear sensorineural hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is not causally related to in-service noise exposure. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, with no evidence of worsening or additional symptoms that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be incurred in service, and service connection for this disability is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is service connected, as it began during or within a year after his period of active duty. The hearing loss claim remains pending.