Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an additional VA audiological examination to determine if the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to in-service motor vehicle accidents and noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination in June 2018. The Board finds that a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his disability.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted an increased, 10 percent disability evaluation.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, hysterectomy, migraine headaches, left knee condition, and anemia as the evidence did not support a current disability or link to service.,For each condition, the Board found that there was no competent evidence demonstrating a relationship between the claimed conditions and any incident of service.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is part of his PTSD and does not result in a separate disability. His PTSD results in total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran's PTSD warrants an initial rating of 100%.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, GERD, and IBS.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is denied because there is no current diagnosis of this condition, and the evidence does not establish that it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's right knee disability and right ear hearing loss have been granted service connection. The increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The Veteran is granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD, but TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for hearing loss was denied. The effective date for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus was also denied.,Hearing loss is rated as Level I, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was rated as noncompensable, with a finding that his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on audiometric test results and medical evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected. The issue of secondary service connection for balance issues including vertigo and dizziness to include as secondary to bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding service connection for a head injury, hearing loss, tinnitus, plantar fasciitis, and an increased rating for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new medical opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is directly related to active military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss disability are granted service connection, while his right ear hearing loss disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence received after the April 2019 rating decision. The Veteran's testimony at his August 2023 hearing is considered in determining whether there is a link between current symptoms and service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right lower extremity neuropathy, left leg disability, and left shoulder disability have all been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions or a causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable (0 percent), and the Board finds that his current audiometric results do not warrant a higher rating.