Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not due to in-service acoustic trauma, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated as non-compensable (0%) from October 15, 2022. The Board found that the evidence did not show any worsening of the condition during this period and thus denied an increased rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of a current disability meeting VA's regulatory requirements.,The Board also denied service connection for a back disorder, finding that the Veteran does not have a current condition or persistent symptoms thereof that began in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss as no new and relevant evidence was received, despite the Veteran arguing exposure to noise in service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The diabetes mellitus rating was not changed, the cataracts with visual field defects were rated at their maximum, and other conditions like peripheral neuropathy, hearing loss, and tinnitus did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have cumulatively precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational attainment and occupational history.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient opinions regarding their etiology based on service noise exposure. The Veteran's MOS as a Machinery Repairman is cited, but no permanent auditory damage was noted in service records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in duty to assist and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted a disability rating of 10 percent, effective from October 10, 2014. The Board found that the evidence supported this rating throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded four issues of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right and left hand disabilities manifesting in pain. The AOJ is directed to obtain clarification from the Veteran regarding his VA treatment records and attempt to obtain private treatment records. Additionally, a new examination is required for each issue.

The Board has vacated its decision denying a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the service connection claims for prostate cancer, GERD, rhinitis, and right ankle sprain.,The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, effective from the date of receipt of a supplemental claim on March 12, 2024.

The Veteran's service-connected Parkinson's disease, hearing loss, tinnitus, and depressive disorder with anxious distress render him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is manifested by hearing acuity of no worse than Level I in the right ear and no worse than Level II in the left ear. The Board denied a compensable rating for this disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and denied service connection for left ear hearing loss. Right ear hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, while there is no evidence of current left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's petition to restore the rating for chronic laceration residuals at the right lower extremity was granted. Service connection was established for a left ankle disorder, but denied for bilateral hearing loss and various finger conditions. The reduction in ratings for some disabilities was found to be improper.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for temporomandibular disorder, fibromyalgia, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied.,Service connection has not been established for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in audiometric test results and a need for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran currently has hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and whether it is at least as likely as not that his right and/or left ear hearing loss disorder is etiologically related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as all issues have been withdrawn by the appellant's authorized representative.