Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the failure of proper notification and scheduling of a video conference hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo are not related to service or any incident of service origin. The preponderance of evidence shows these conditions were not present in service or until many years thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and will ensure that all relevant records are obtained before readjudicating the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus is denied. The Board finds that the available schedular evaluations for his service-connected tinnitus are adequate and that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal concerning the issue of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability has been withdrawn.

The Veteran seeks service connection for left ear hearing loss. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records and an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his active duty service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and need for additional development.

The Veteran's service connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and retaining gainful employment for which he would otherwise be qualified.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and nasal septum resection are being remanded due to the need for new examinations and additional VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service noise exposure. The hearing loss claim remains pending as it requires a more contemporaneous VA examination.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his service connection claims, as well as a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they did not manifest during active duty or within one year of separation. However, the Veteran reported a continuity of symptoms since service, which is sufficient to establish a nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for tinnitus and has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted. The claim is now reopened, and the criteria for service connection have been met due to the Veteran's credible testimony indicating in-service exposure to artillery fire which likely initiated or aggravated his tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA audiology examination to assess the severity of his bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to conflicting opinions regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is found to be related to in-service noise exposure and service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional service records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and back conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20 percent from June 1, 2009. The Board denied the claim for a higher rating as his hearing acuity did not warrant an increase in disability compensation.