Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for myelodysplastic syndrome and bilateral hearing loss, both of which are presumed to be related to in-service herbicide agent exposure (Agent Orange).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability are being remanded due to the failure to obtain relevant private medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding of current disability for bilateral hearing loss, and the Veteran's PTSD symptoms were found to be less severe than those required for a 70% disability rating.,PTSD was rated at 50%, with no evidence showing occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a current disability or link between in-service noise exposure and his hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records related to his right ear hearing loss. The tinnitus rating remains denied.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's asthma and tinnitus were not granted service connection due to lack of evidence showing they began during or immediately after his military service.,Service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no credible evidence linking the disability to service. The Veteran did not provide any medical records supporting this claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 20 percent since December 20, 2021. The Board found that the evidence did not show worsening and thus denied a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to military noise exposure during service and has continued since. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure did not result in permanent auditory damage and his post-service hearing loss is more likely due to age-related changes. Service connection was granted for tinnitus, with the onset believed to have occurred after service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between current hearing loss and military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and traumatic brain injury were denied, while his right ankle disabilities received initial disability ratings of 20 percent each. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated at a noncompensable rating since March 2017. The most recent VA examination in September 2023 showed average puretone thresholds of 55 decibels for the right ear and 59 decibels for the left ear, resulting in Level II Roman numeral designations for both ears. This resulted in a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of extraschedular considerations. The Veteran contends his hearing loss warrants an increased rating.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for initial disability ratings and compensable ratings related to his service-connected Meniere's disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a right knee disability and various ratings for coronary artery disease. The main issue is that the AOJ did not fully comply with previous instructions to verify the mailing address of the Veteran's unit at Ft. Lewis.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of examination based on the Veteran's testimony regarding exposure during active duty.