Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest in service, within one year of separation from service, or is otherwise related to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and dental disability were denied as there is no evidence of a compensable condition. The claim for PTSD resulted in an initial rating of 70% effective April 4, 2014, but the issue of TDIU prior to that date remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not warrant a compensable rating as his pure tone thresholds were within normal limits and he had no significant speech discrimination issues. The VA audiology examinations consistently showed mild to moderately-severe sensorineural hearing loss, but with average decibel losses below 50 in both ears.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but granted an effective date of January 24, 2009, for a 30 percent rating for residuals of left shoulder injury with degenerative changes.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not the result of injury during service, and therefore service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under VA's schedular criteria.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that his current condition is related to noise exposure during service. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination of his bilateral hearing loss, as he reported a decrease in hearing since the last examination. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The noncompensable rating assigned prior to December 14, 2010 and the 10 percent rating assigned since then are appropriate.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's current tinnitus is likely related to active military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence submitted. However, the claim for COPD remains denied as there is no current disability found. The claim for bilateral hearing loss also remains denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not have its onset during service and was not related to in-service noise exposure. As a result, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, as well as other development needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his left ear hearing loss claim and denying all other issues on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected varicose veins of the left and right lower extremities, along with other disabilities, do not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.