Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his hearing loss.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability was rated at 20 percent prior to March 6, 2007; 40 percent from March 6, 2007 through February 24, 2011; and 50 percent since February 25, 2011. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during any of these periods.

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

The VA determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and low back strain with mild spondylosis at the level of the 1st and 2nd lumbar vertebrae were both denied as his conditions did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is not related to her in-service noise exposure and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have hearing loss that meets VA compensation criteria, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted, as the evidence supports a finding of current disability and continuity of symptomatology from service. The Board finds that his assertions regarding in-service noise exposure are credible and consistent with the circumstances of his service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The issue of a TDIU is also remanded due to new evidence indicating an increase in PTSD severity.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 11, 2009 for the award of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus is denied. The earliest possible effective date based on new and material evidence other than service department records is March 11, 2009.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension are all found to be related to service. The Board has granted the claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The back disability was rated at 20 percent, the right foot disability at 10 percent, and tinnitus received its maximum schedular rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's only 100% rating for bilateral hearing loss was effective from January 24, 2001. The death occurred on September [redacted], 2010, and the Veteran had a 100% rating for approximately nine years and nine months immediately before his death. There is no legal basis to grant DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, thus granting service connection for these conditions. The claim for a headache disorder is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and back condition are not related to service. Therefore, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn by the appellant's authorized representative.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting etiological opinions and a need for clarification of the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities. The Veteran should be afforded another VA examination.