Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss requires additional development and remands, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and any SSA benefit records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to January 31, 2014, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent from January 31, 2014.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, GERD, residual scar from a left breast lumpectomy, tinnitus, and migraine headaches. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability, but finds in favor of service connection for left ear hearing loss and cysts of the earlobes.,Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss and cysts of the ear lobes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development due to the need for an updated evaluation of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence showing a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be related to his service-connected PTSD. The hearing loss disability of the right ear was not aggravated by active service.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically bilateral hearing loss and asbestosis. His combined evaluation of 80% meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The Veteran is also receiving a 10 percent rating for his traumatic brain injury without residuals prior to March 28, 2013, with no further increase in rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is a result of noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and noise exposure during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for any higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule. The Veteran's functional impairment was noted but did not result in an additional schedular evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete evidence. The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is currently before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his puretone threshold average did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at the minimum noncompensable level. The Board granted a compensable rating of 10% for his Bell's palsy, including claimed right eye diplopia.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure. The right knee disability is also found to be at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected left knee disability.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.