Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated at a noncompensable level, and the claim for a compensable rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, while his claim for tinnitus is granted. The Board found that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of tinnitus and that it is at least as likely as not related to acoustic noise exposure during service.

Entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for bipolar disorder prior to November 17, 2023, is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with the most recent VA examination and private treatment record both indicating Level I hearing acuity in both ears.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back conditions and bilateral radiculopathy of his lower extremities, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to limitations such as difficulty dressing, feeding himself, attending to the wants of nature, and traveling. The Board has determined that these criteria are met for SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back disorders due to their grant during the pendency of the appeal. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines, PTSD, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, inguinal hernia, and hernia scar have rendered him unemployable due to their combined effect. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development due to a failure to schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee condition, vision impairment, tinnitus, and hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a digestive disorder and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as there is no current diagnosis or symptoms of these conditions, and the evidence does not meet the regulatory requirements for ratable disabilities.

The Board has found the VA examiner's opinions inadequate and remanded for addendum opinions regarding the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran does not have a current left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability that meets VA criteria.,The Board has remanded the claims for left and right ankle conditions due to inadequate pre-decisional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, left knee and ankle injuries, tinnitus, right knee strain, and other conditions, are sufficient to produce unemployability. The Board granted the TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, review of outstanding records, and application of the combat presumption.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable (0 percent) since June 27, 1997. The most recent VA examinations in February and October 2021 showed puretone thresholds of up to 65 decibels in the right ear and up to 85 decibels in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating under the Rating Schedule.

The Board has determined that additional information is needed regarding the qualifications of the VA examiners who performed the Veteran's eye and hearing loss examinations in July 2018, as well as a VA examination for his right hand and wrist conditions. The claims are being remanded to obtain this information.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for eating disorder and hearing loss. The Veteran's tinnitus is linked to military noise exposure, while the evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities for eating disorder or hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, low back disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to unresolved procedural or factual issues.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in at least an approximate balance as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's conceded in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, and gout have been denied.,There is no current evidence of a hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards.