Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing disability did not meet the criteria for service connection as there was no evidence of a hearing loss disability in service and the VA audiologist concluded that his hearing loss is not caused by or a result of military noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss (rated as 80 percent disabling) and tinnitus (rated as 10 percent disabling), meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, and the collective lay and medical evidence on the question of the nature and severity of his service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss did not warrant a compensable rating, as it was consistently rated at level I or II in both ears throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, and he is entitled to a noncompensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 8, 2008. For the period beginning on April 8, 2008, his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral high frequency hearing loss and chronic low back pain with degenerative joint disease, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he meets the percentage requirements for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability was denied. The current effective date is December 30, 2004.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral 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 bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss before a decision was made by the Board.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for clarification of private audiometric examination results and further development.

The Board found no evidence of an inner ear disability, hearing loss, or tinnitus being incurred in service and denied the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, a spine disability, and hypertension. The appeals were based on direct evidence rather than presumptive exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are related to his service. The evidence is at least as likely as not that these conditions were incurred during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for lumbar strain was denied as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for a 10% rating under VA's General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.,Effective dates prior to November 19, 2005, were denied for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they were both granted effective on that date.

The Board found that the Veteran's claims of service connection were denied as there was no evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to make a determination on the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating. This includes obtaining pertinent VA treatment records, verifying combat experiences, and providing an opinion regarding the etiology of his hearing loss, knee disability, and lumbar strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss and carpal tunnel syndrome. The decision is final as it was not appealed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo and a compensable disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss were both denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current ear disability manifested as vertigo or dizziness, and his hearing loss was not shown to be at least 10% disabling.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's hip pain, hypertension, heart disorder, and sleep disorder were not found to be service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.