Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating for Level III and VI hearing impairment in both ears. The Board found no evidence of exceptional pattern of hearing loss or other factors warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the AOJ not having all relevant VA treatment records and a private audiology examination report from 2016. The AOJ must seek these records and complete the review.

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

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 aggravated by his military service. The Veteran reported experiencing ringing in his ears since service, which is considered a known result of noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The decision is based on the evidence not being in balance regarding the etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus, while finding no link between his current hearing loss and service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus, traumatic brain injury, and bilateral hearing loss due to procedural errors in the initial decision. The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as it was incurred during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for an automobile allowance due to lack of permanent impairment in use of hands or feet, blindness, or severe burn injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, hernia, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA audiological examination records and requests for private treatment providers. The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is pending.

The Veteran's request for higher-level review of his increased rating claims for hearing loss and irritable bowel syndrome was denied because the request was untimely.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for PFB and bilateral hearing loss from June 24, 2020 to December 13, 2021 is denied. The claim for a higher than 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss from December 14, 2021 is also denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep apnea due to procedural issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance prior to June 9, 2020, as there was no evidence showing the Veteran needed regular aid and assistance due to his service-connected conditions before that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sinusitis, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, a right big toe disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and heart disease due to incomplete records and failure to obtain necessary medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, kidney disability, and several other disabilities are denied. The Board has remanded the remaining service connection claims.

The Veteran submitted new evidence after the August 2007 rating decision, including service treatment records from his deployment to Afghanistan. This evidence is relevant to the claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus and may prove or disprove the in-service injury or illness element on a direct basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the AOJ not having all relevant VA treatment records and a private provider record from 2016. The AOJ must seek these records and complete the review.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability due to a pre-decisional error in not considering a private audiogram.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted because his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability prevents him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and musculoskeletal conditions, prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that the criteria for a TDIU are met.