Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with no indication of intercurrent causes. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, with the benefit of doubt given in favor of the Veteran. However, there is no evidence linking peripheral artery disease to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and increased ratings for PTSD were denied. The Veteran was found to have mild to moderately severe bilateral sensorineural hearing loss through 2000 Hz, with a current level I hearing in the right ear and level V in the left ear. For his PTSD, he had symptoms indicative of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to flattened affect, depression, anxiety, and Global Assessment of Functioning score of 55.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including noise exposure. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the current conditions are likely as not related to noise exposure during active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for vision disorder, hepatitis, heart disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral foot disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty or any period of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss first occurred during his active duty for training and is related to noise exposure in service. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability began during his second period of active service and is related to service. The issue of bilateral pes planus was not addressed in this decision as it pertains to a different time frame.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is a result of in-service noise exposure and head injury, and service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his service, including exposure to acoustic trauma. As a result, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate opinions regarding his left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and sleep apnea. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable at the time of his death, and therefore, he was not entitled to a TDIU for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss from March 9, 2009 to September 26, 2013 is granted. From September 26, 2013 onwards, he does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's Meniere's disease is found to be aggravated by his service-connected TBI. His hearing loss and tinnitus are currently rated at the minimum (10%) level.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination by an ENT to determine the etiology of his hearing loss disability and whether the proximate cause of his right ear hearing loss was due to carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill on the part of VA.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathy, cervical strain, and lumbosacral strain with arthropathy, necessitate the need for an automobile to accommodate his mobility limitations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to evaluate his hypertension, and adjudicating the claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence on file for VA to make a decision on the claims. The appellant should be afforded examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence. His tinnitus claim, which was granted in June 2009, is also on appeal and requires review by the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records from private doctors not currently in his claims file. The case will be returned to the Board after these records are obtained.