Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a respiratory disorder (claimed as COPD and asthma), or a lumbar spine disability (residuals of a lumbar laminectomy).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is evaluated as noncompensable under the rating schedule, and no higher ratings are warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding a private audiogram and for a new VA examination of his otosclerosis with hearing loss.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since the initial rating period, reflecting noncompensable limitation of motion due to painful arthritis. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for hearing loss disability and tinnitus have been denied as no higher evaluation is warranted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD, depression, cardiovascular disability, lung disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability has been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or residuals of an injury to the fourth finger of the right hand, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating since May 26, 2010. The hearing loss and tinnitus claims have been denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by auditory acuity levels VII in the left ear and I in the right ear, which do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation guidelines. As such, his claim for a compensable evaluation is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have hearing loss for VA purposes and his tinnitus is not related to service. Therefore, he was denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their onset during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to in-service noise exposure. As such, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records related to hearing loss. The Veteran will be scheduled for an examination to determine the current nature and severity of his hearing loss.

The Veteran's hearing loss in his right ear was rated as noncompensable prior to April 27, 2012 and thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and carpal tunnel syndrome of both wrists, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to improper notification of a scheduled hearing, and the Veteran did not appear at his January 2014 hearing. The case is now being returned for rescheduling the hearing and providing proper notice.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and his case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA audiological examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that it is likely due to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B due to a lack of a Statement of the Case (SOC).