Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, hypertension, and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss due to missing medical records from San Juan VA Medical Center.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence meeting VA's criteria. The Board has also remanded the claims for obstructive sleep apnea and lumbar spine disability, as well as the claim for right ear hearing loss.

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

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated as zero percent disabling, and the claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for tinnitus and service connection for right ear hearing loss have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board found that the Veteran's unemployability is due to a lung condition unrelated to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and meniscal tear with symptomatic residuals are rated at 10 percent, while bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric evaluations corresponded to Level I in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable (0 percent) rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not currently have a diagnosed disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, bilateral wrist nerve condition, bilateral hearing loss, neck condition, back condition, right shoulder clavicle disability, and left elbow condition have all been denied. The Board found no current disabilities of the claimed conditions.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between any current disabilities and military service.

The Board has determined that new evidence received after the January 2014 rating decision is relevant to the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further evaluation, including a VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran does not have a current left ear hearing disability for VA compensation purposes. Therefore, service connection for left ear hearing loss must be denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss due to the appellant's death.

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

The Veteran's claim for a 40% rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted with an effective date of March 29, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance for the period of time on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left ear hearing loss due to a lack of evidence confirming the Veteran's death.