Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining Reserves service treatment records and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his active duty service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary due to inadequate opinions on the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and service-connected tinnitus. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and thus denied his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's left thumb disability is rated at 10 percent, the highest possible rating under Diagnostic Code 5228. The other issues on appeal are not addressed as they involve different conditions and theories of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA audiological evaluation and updated VA treatment records, as well as the Veteran's allegation of worsening hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claim for right ear hearing loss was denied. The Veteran's PTSD has been granted with a 50% disability rating, effective from November 2, 2007.,The Veteran's GERD and residuals of squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx have not been granted initial compensable ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was not incurred or aggravated as a result of active service, and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be etiologically related to his active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in service and is not related to any incident of service, including noise exposure. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and hearing loss do not meet the criteria for SMC or SMP based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.,The Veteran does not have a single disability rated at 100% in addition to his back disorder, nor is he over 65 years old. Therefore, he does not qualify for SMP at the housebound rate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for service connection purposes due to lack of evidence showing hearing loss or tinnitus during service. The VA examiner found no link between in-service noise exposure and current bilateral hearing loss, and concluded that it was more likely caused by occupational noise exposure post-service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including clarification of the audiologist's opinion and consideration of the Veteran's new theory that medications could have caused his hearing loss.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, despite some interference in his employment due to urinary leakage and frequency.

The Board has remanded the claims due to allegations of worsening symptoms and unclear reference to which disability(ies) are being referred. The Veteran needs new examinations for his asbestos-related pleural disease and bilateral hearing loss.

The appeal is being remanded due to the need for audiometric testing results and a new VA audiological examination.