Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for left ear hearing loss and service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current right ear hearing loss disability, thus denying service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted. Erectile dysfunction, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus, type II are all granted due to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act. Prostate cancer is also granted due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities (secondary to diabetes) was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 3, 2019.,TDIU is granted from June 3, 2019. The appeal for TDIU from October 9, 2018 to June 3, 2019 is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is attributable to military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied, and the claim for service connection for chronic kidney disease (CKD) is remanded due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at a noncompensable level prior to June 3, 2024. From June 3, 2024, the rating for his bilateral hearing loss has been increased to 30 percent effective from that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he does not meet the criteria for this benefit.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are found to be related to his military noise exposure, leading to the grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, heart condition, dyslipidemia, left hip condition, right hip condition, back condition, respiratory condition, sleep apnea, and carpal tunnel syndrome due to potential exposure to fine particulate matter in Southwest Asia. The Veteran's service connection claims are being remanded to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as incurred during service. The decision on tinnitus and COPD remains pending due to remand requirements.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have hearing loss for VA purposes and denied service connection for this condition. For tinnitus, the Board found a duty to assist error occurred due to lack of an adequate medical opinion addressing its etiology and remanded the case.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his in-service hazardous noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, GERD, and IBS were dismissed due to a procedural defect in the AMA review system.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to toxic substances during service and the relationship between his current disabilities and such exposures.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his military service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of May 31, 2016 for the increased evaluation of 70% for PTSD and TDIU due to service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's symptoms have been reflective of a 70% rating throughout the entire appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip condition and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the October 2007 rating decisions contained CUE. The Veteran's claims were reopened based on new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The audiogram from May 2010 at Cleveland VAMC needs to be obtained, and a new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's hypertension was not rated as compensable, as his diastolic pressure did not predominantly reach 100 or more.,SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted with an effective date of November 1, 2011.