Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of in-service hearing loss and that the current hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for an extraschedular rating as his symptoms are consistent with mild bilateral hearing loss and do not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or aggravation during service. The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus based on his credible statements about exposure to noise in service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no competent evidence linking these conditions to service or any in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be etiologically related to active duty, and service connection for this condition is granted. The issue of bilateral hearing loss disability remains pending as the VA examiner concluded it was less likely than not caused by or a result of military noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing before the Board. The claims related to increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for prostatitis are still pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to medication prescribed for a service-connected disability. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence showing a chronic or permanent worsening during service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical records and provide a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including consideration of new evidence submitted to the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, including any in-service noise exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and etiological opinion regarding his exposure during active duty as a surveyor.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a left knee disorder were denied. The Board is remanding the left knee claim to the RO, while deciding the claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus in service and concluded that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss during service and denied the claim for bilateral hearing loss as it is not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and traumatic dental injury resulting in the loss of all teeth, finding that there is a reasonable doubt as to whether the Veteran's hearing loss pre-existed service or was aggravated by service, and that his loss of teeth resulted from trauma during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.