Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current right and left ear hearing loss disabilities were caused by in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran experienced noise exposure after service, which is more likely than not the cause of his current disabilities.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for such a rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's low back disability and heart disability (valvular heart disease) are remanded for further review.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of pneumonia as the evidence does not support a nexus between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for DM has been dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to May 7, 2019 for the grant of service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, right hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided were inadequate and remanded to obtain a sufficient opinion concerning the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including whether service connection should be granted.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claim for an initial evaluation greater than 10 percent for lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions cause him to need the regular aid and attendance of another person to remain clean and presentable, and to protect him from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment. The Board has granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

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 in-service noise exposure. The Board considered the Veteran's reports of noise exposure but concluded that there was no actual auditory damage resulting from the in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's TDIU and service connection for bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow gainful employment due to his service-connected PTSD, and that his bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for VA purposes, and therefore service connection is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted as it began during active service.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD is denied.,An effective date of March 26, 2011, for the assignment of a 50 percent rating for headaches is granted.,An initial rating of 100 percent for service-connected peripheral artery disease is granted.,An earlier effective date of June 10, 2011, for Dependents' Educational Assistance is granted.,An award of special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) effective June 10, 2011, is granted.,Earlier effective dates are remanded for service connection claims related to scars and tissue loss in the lower extremities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and kidney disability are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection was denied for tinnitus due to conflicting evidence and inconsistent statements regarding its onset.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from August 10, 2018 to June 29, 2020 due to his service-connected disabilities. From June 30, 2020 to the present, he is in receipt of a 100 percent schedular rating for coronary artery disease and a combined rating of at least 60 percent for other service-connected disabilities, making TDIU moot.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating.,Service connection for chronic myelogenous leukemia was granted, with the condition presumed to be related to service exposure to benzene.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss) render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for Parkinson's disease, hypertension, and MDS. The appeals were based on direct causation rather than presumptive exposure to herbicides or other toxic exposures.