Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his period of active service, while his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a current disability under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied. The issue of an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and dysthymic disorder) remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions do not combine to preclude substantially gainful employment, and therefore denied his claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence shows a relationship between the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service, including exposure to loud noises during active duty in Vietnam. As such, the claims are granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his requests to reopen these claims. The Board also denied several other disability evaluation claims.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, thus denying both claims.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not related to service, including any in-service noise exposure. As a result, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis B and bilateral hearing loss, finding no current disability related to service. For hepatitis B, there is no evidence of a current condition. For bilateral hearing loss, the Veteran's current hearing loss was not caused by or a result of his time in service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim for bilateral hearing loss and that there is no competent medical evidence linking either condition to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA audiological and ENT examination.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression and anxiety is being remanded as there may be an underlying service-connected condition that could affect his mental health. The right foot disability claim is also being remanded, with a request for in-patient clinical records from Fort Carson.,The Veteran's left foot disability claim is being remanded due to the need for additional development including in-patient clinical records and psychiatric examination.,The Veteran's right foot disability claim is being remanded as it may be related to his pre-existing left foot disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to service, while his tinnitus is not. Bilateral hearing loss is granted as a result of noise exposure in service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus can be decided.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not begin or worsen during active service and is not presumed to have been incurred therein. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities. His anxiety/depression disorder has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal involves disagreement with the initial rating assigned following the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board has requested further examination and development to determine if a higher rating is warranted, including on an extra-schedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right knee condition, and hypertension were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as 10 percent for the period beginning August 13, 2009.