Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's testimony of in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptoms since service is credible. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation criteria.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they are directly related to his military service, with no presumption or secondary connection.

The Veteran's hearing is manifested by decibel (dB) loss in the right ear of 88 and 81, resulting in a 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by no worse than Level II hearing in both ears, which does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's back condition is granted service connection, but his left ankle disability and acquired psychiatric disabilities are denied. The hearing loss claim remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a hearing, and will schedule a Travel Board hearing before a member of the Board at the Atlanta, Georgia, VA RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is due to noise exposure during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered an addendum opinion to assess the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability. The claim is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current disability. The VA examiner opined that the etiology of the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus was less likely due to his history of noise exposure during active service.

The Board has denied the claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a bilateral elbow disorder as well as PTSD due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Veteran does not have a current chronic hearing loss disability in his left ear that meets VA regulatory requirements for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and all claims have been dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA compensation purposes and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during or as a result of his active military service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not etiologically related to in-service noise exposure, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is a disability and was incurred during service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to October 26, 2011 and was rated at 10 percent from that date forward. The Board found no evidence of new or material evidence to reopen his claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.