Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a disability according to VA standards.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a hearing loss disability due to insufficient evidence of a VA compensable hearing loss condition during the applicable claim period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his right vestibular unilateral weakness, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board denied eligibility for attorney's fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a January 2023 Rating Decision, as the decision was not issued following a request for higher-level review or an increased rating claim form.

The Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are denied due to lack of current disability. The Veteran's IBS with abdominal adhesions is currently rated at the maximum allowable under the applicable diagnostic code.,For her service-connected appendectomy scar, a VA examination is needed to determine the number and nature of scars related to her appendectomy.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at a noncompensable level prior to June 6, 2022. Effective from that date, the Veteran is now rated at a 10 percent rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is restored to a 10 percent rating effective September 15, 2020.,Service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and tension headaches are granted with effective dates of April 15, 2012.

The Board has restored a 10 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, effective March 1, 2023, after the reduction was found to be improper due to reasonable doubt regarding improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life.

The Veteran's service-connected left eye iritis and bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error by the AOJ, specifically in obtaining an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and its relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure, as there is a need for an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the initial 100 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss to a 10 percent rating was proper due to clear and unmistakable error in an August 2023 rating decision. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at Level IV, corresponding to a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected as it resulted from in-service hazardous noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claims for right shoulder, right knee, left knee, and left shoulder conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to acoustic trauma incurred during active service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a compensable degree of hearing loss within one year of separation. The Board denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between current disabilities and in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's tinnitus is granted, but his bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.