Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during his service in the Army National Guard, including his initial period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA). As a result, the appeal is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to an inadequate examination report and lack of consideration of in-service noise exposure.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the case is remanded for a VA examination to determine if hearing loss disability was incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds it at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus in service and has had recurrent symptoms since separation. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service. The claim is not reopened.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been reopened as new and material evidence suggests a possible link between the condition and his active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened since the last VA examination in 2015, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his disability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a duty to assist error, requiring additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has determined that in-service combat noise exposure contributed to the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is granted. The case is remanded due to the need for a medical examination and additional records.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is not rated higher than the current 10 percent due to lack of limitation of motion or instability.,Service connection for a lower back condition was denied as there is no evidence that it began during service and is not aggravated by a service-connected disability.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss, finding that there is no current disability in either case.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is service-connected as it began during active service or was manifested within one year of service to a compensable degree, and is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's hearing loss is granted as incurred in service due to noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to his blindness caused by macular degeneration.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for a gastrointestinal disorder was denied. Service connection for diabetes mellitus and bilateral hearing loss were granted, but service connection for tinnitus was denied.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable prior to June 9, 2017 and at 20 percent from that date. The claim for increased rating remains denied.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability has not been service connected. The claim for reopening the previously denied service connection claim remains denied.,The Veteran's low back disability is rated as 20 percent disabling, but further development is needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted.