Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability renders him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU.

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

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 14, 2013 was denied. The claim for a rating higher than 40 percent since March 14, 2013 was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not shown during service or for many years thereafter, and there is no competent evidence linking this disability to service. The Veteran currently wears hearing aids in both ears.,On the other hand, the Veteran reported experiencing tinnitus since his military service, and a VA examination confirmed current tinnitus. There is credible evidence indicating that the Veteran's tinnitus began during service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is due to noise exposure during his military service, and grants service connection for this condition. However, there is no evidence of a right ear hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period. The most recent VA examination did not show any significant impairment in auditory acuity that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, which was previously rated as noncompensable, is now rated at 10 percent effective from August 5, 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise on whether the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is related to acoustic trauma during his period of active service. The claims for osteopenia and right lower extremity DVT are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability did not have its onset during service, was not shown to be related to noise exposure in service, and is unrelated to his service-connected tinnitus. As a result, the claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including shrapnel wound of the left leg, malaria, hearing loss, and pulmonary tuberculosis, were not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service. The appeal was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and ear infections with tinnitus has been reopened, and the Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims.,Service connection is established for a groin disorder (inguinal hernia) due to an in-service lifting injury.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for post-operative left knee internal derangement residuals due to receipt of new and material evidence. The claims for headaches, tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, and PTSD are all granted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a neck disability, and a psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining clarification of private medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion regarding the relationship between his current hearing loss and in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, including consideration of in-service noise exposure. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are related to his exposure to noise during active service. The VA examiner's opinion is inadequate due to the lack of a clear etiology without resorting to speculation.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and inadequate opinion regarding the relationship between his hearing loss and tinnitus and service. The case will be re-adjudicated after these issues are addressed.