Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, as well as clarifying the B-reader's interpretation of the appellant's respiratory studies.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when evaluated in association with his education and occupational experience, have at least as likely as not made him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that TDIU is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is service-connected, as it was incurred during her active military service.

The Veteran's current gastrointestinal disability developed many years after service and is not related to service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against his claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss. The case is now REMANDED for compliance with the January 2014 remand directives.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and a need for additional examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are pending.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His right ankle strains, left ankle strains, and right knee retropatellar pain syndrome are currently rated at 10 percent each. Tinnitus is presumed to be related to service, but bilateral hearing loss has not been diagnosed or shown.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted, and he is now considered unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities. The issue of an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no compensable hearing loss or significant impairment from his diagnosed conditions. The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to withdrawal of his appeal regarding the left hand rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to noise during his time in Vietnam. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The appeal will be remanded to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including providing VCAA notice and obtaining medical opinions regarding service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for a traumatic brain injury, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 8, 2012 and in excess of 20 percent from May 8, 2012 forward for bilateral hearing loss, and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to in-service noise exposure, thus establishing service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left ear hearing loss, residuals of cervical spine strain (neck injury), and residuals of left knee injury have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or nexus to service.

The Veteran's asthma disorder is found to be related to his service in Southwest Asia. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of bronchitis are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew them.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not incurred during service, including exposure to acoustic trauma in Vietnam. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.