Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a Travel Board hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his hypertension claim resulted in a non-compensable rating. The Board found no evidence of current hearing loss disability or continuity of symptomatology post-service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have left ear hearing loss for VA purposes, and his right ear hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with bulging and herniated discs, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unemployable as a result of his disabilities, given his educational background and experience.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 30 percent effective November 1, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to a procedural issue with the hearing, and the Veteran is entitled to another video-conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are due to exposure to loud noises during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining audiometric findings and considering whether extra-schedular consideration is warranted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 70 percent since February 20, 2013. The Board has also granted entitlement to TDIU based on the service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death while the case was pending at the Board.

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

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss prior to July 6, 2013 were denied. The Board found that the current disability levels did not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records regarding hearing loss and gastrointestinal disorders. An addendum opinion from a VA examiner will be needed to address whether any gastrointestinal disability can be attributed to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness related to service, including Gulf War service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss did not have onset during active service, was not caused by his active service, and did not manifest within one year of separation from active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of perforation of tympanic membrane, to include hearing loss, and tinnitus was denied as there is no current evidence of a disability. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a residual of perforation of tympanic membrane or hearing loss for VA purposes at any time either in service or at present.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be service-connected, as it was caused by noise exposure during active duty. The right shoulder and left pneumothorax disabilities are also found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records. The case will be returned to the Board after these steps are completed.

The Board has granted an extension of the temporary total disability rating for left shoulder surgery from April 13, 2011 to July 1, 2011. The Veteran's post-operative residuals did not meet or more nearly approximate severe postoperative residuals such as incompletely healed surgical wounds, stumps of recent amputations, application of a body cast, the necessity for house confinement, or the continued use of a wheelchair or crutches (regular weight-bearing prohibited).