Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, hepatitis C, and respiratory conditions (including sinusitis) are related to service. However, his bilateral hearing loss and flash burn with chronic watery and corneal scarring (eye condition) require further examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, hypertension, tinnitus, and hearing loss, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his current level of hearing loss does not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but granted service connection for sacroiliac injury with IVDS and degenerative arthritis (claimed as low back injury).,Service connection was granted for the Veteran's current sacroiliac injury with IVDS and degenerative arthritis (low back injury) due to a motor vehicle accident in 1979.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, an ear condition, and a right inguinal hernia need to be remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to provide adequate medical opinions. The AOJ will need to schedule the Veteran for additional VA examinations to address these issues.

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

The Board has restored a 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the reduction was improper due to an improvement in hearing but not sufficient to show an actual improvement in ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the VA determined that a 50 percent rating most closely approximates his disability. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied because he did not meet the schedular criteria for a single disability with a combined rating of at least 60 percent, and there is no evidence to suggest he could secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, limitation of motion of the ankle, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The issues are dismissed as they were fully addressed in a prior rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Veteran's PTSD claim was denied, and his bilateral hearing loss claim is being remanded.,The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent.

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

The Board has granted service connection for right hip osteoarthritis, left hip osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, lateral collateral ligament sprain (chronic/recurrent) of the left ankle, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, and left knee strain. The Veteran's current conditions are proximately due to his service-connected right hip osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has not manifested by worse than level II in the right and left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board denied an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 30 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating as his hearing acuity does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, left elbow disorder, right hip disorder, and left shoulder disorder are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for parental special monthly compensation and service connection due to untimely filing of a VA Form 10182.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for shrapnel in his left arm and bilateral hearing loss, finding insufficient evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claims of acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and eye disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete audiometric results from previous examinations, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure, as there is an inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the condition.