Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and PTSD) are found to be so severe that they render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and industrial background.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU was denied as there is no evidence of current impaired hearing in either ear or a service-connected disability that precludes the Veteran from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence.

The Veteran's claimed residuals of a fractured nose are not shown to be related to service.,His hearing loss disability is not shown to have originated in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis A has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition. The issue of service connection for right ear hearing loss remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a right ankle sprain, as well as his claim for PTSD. The decision also noted that the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder was recharacterized to include PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic sinus disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for recurrent left ankle sprain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of shell fragment wounds of the head was denied as there were no residuals found during or after service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is pending and will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's illness, and a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the Regional Office is scheduled.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for clarification of his service dates and further development of his PTSD and hearing loss claims.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, major depressive disorder, and tinnitus) render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, residuals of frostbite, or PTSD due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and chronic tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by his period of active military service, nor can they be presumed to have been so incurred. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Board also found no nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he attributes to noise exposure during his naval service. The appeal is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have right ear hearing loss or tinnitus that is attributable to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and an initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's tinnitus is attributable to service, while his hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's service treatment records do not show a bilateral hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulation during active service or for many years thereafter, and there is no competent evidence of a nexus between a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss and any incident of service, to include claimed in-service exposure to acoustic trauma. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's disability rating for sensorineural bilateral hearing loss was reduced from 60% to 50%, effective August 1, 2007. The reduction is proper as the evidence shows improvement in his condition.