Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to August 1, 2018 due to his service-connected low back, hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities. The Board found that these conditions did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated noncompensable, and the Board has remanded for further development.,The Veteran's skin condition and OSA are related to in-service herbicide agent exposure, but a VA examination is needed to determine this.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to have begun in service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with pure tone thresholds of up to 65 decibels in both ears.,His hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent under DC 7101. The Board found that his diastolic pressure has not been predominantly 110 mm or more and his systolic pressure has not been predominantly 200 mm or more, thus preventing a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is presumed to have been incurred in service due to continuous symptoms since separation from active duty.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability that had been continuously rated totally disabling for at least ten years immediately preceding his death, or within five years of his discharge from active duty. Therefore, DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because he does not have a current disability, and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating from June 30, 2021. The left ankle disability and tinea versicolor are denied ratings in excess of the current 10 percent. Bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, intestinal disability (including IBS), sinusitis, upper respiratory infection disability, allergic rhinitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right knee strain, and left knee strain has been denied.,Remanded issues include GERD and knee strains.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board found that his current hearing impairment does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his in-service exposure to hazardous noise.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left knee disability were denied. The case was remanded due to issues with the reduction of his hearing loss rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis of a disability that meets VA criteria.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 23, 2021 for the award of a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability. The Board also found that a higher rating is not warranted at any time during the period on review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The claim for service connection for restless leg syndrome is being remanded, and the increased rating claim for left shoulder strain, rotator cuff tendonitis, and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis with cortisone shots is also being remanded.

The Board has ordered the remand of the issue of service connection for left ear hearing loss due to a lack of adequate consideration of the Veteran's argument regarding delayed awareness of his hearing loss and an inadequate VA medical opinion. The matter is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with a Level I hearing impairment. The Board found that the evidence does not support an initial compensable rating for his service-connected left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development of records.