Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted. The issue of an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear evidence from a private audiologist and for another VA audiometry evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with new VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with noise exposure being a contributing factor.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently existing bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not etiologically linked to his active duty service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss is currently evaluated as 0 percent disabling, and the Board finds that he is not entitled to a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an updated VA audiometric examination and the provision of any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board found no evidence of a current bilateral hearing loss disability related to service and concluded that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hearing loss of the left ear is attributable to service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter, and there was no evidence linking his current condition to military noise exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as his puretone thresholds do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's auditory disability rating schedule.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no nexus between his current hearing loss and his military service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be related to his active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as 0 percent, and the Board has determined that it does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as whether these conditions are related to service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, granting the benefits sought.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.