Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his exposure to loud noise during service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as PTSD, have been reopened. The claim for right knee osteoarthritis is denied, while the left knee osteoarthritis and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are remanded.

The Veteran's left ear sensorineural hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate given his current hearing test results.

The claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and a lumbar spine disorder are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to in-service noise exposure. The claims were reopened due to new evidence received after the final denial of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as secondary to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for vertigo and/or Meniere’s syndrome is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The right wrist disability and bilateral hearing loss claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, specifically the acoustic trauma he experienced during his active duty service. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure. Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, and a respiratory condition due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but has remanded for further action on his hearing loss claim due to incomplete information.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on the issues of service connection for psychiatric disorder, traumatic brain injury, headaches, left eye disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is considered a disability for VA purposes and the Board finds that it is at least as likely as not related to his service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and has determined that he is entitled to this benefit based on in-service noise exposure. The decision also finds that there is sufficient evidence, resolving any reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, to establish a nexus between his current hearing loss and his military service.

The Veteran was granted an effective date of May 1, 2014 for a separate 30 percent disability rating for dizziness and staggering secondary to Meniere’s disease.,An initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss prior to June 28, 2016 was denied.

The Veteran's respiratory condition, diagnosed as COPD, is granted service connection. The cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine conditions, hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for bilateral tinnitus was granted, with a positive nexus opinion provided by a private audiologist.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for right ear hearing loss is remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to in-service noise exposure. The claims were decided on a presumptive basis due to continuous symptoms since service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is dismissed as he withdrew the issue from appeal.,Service connection for left and right knee conditions, diagnosed as patellofemoral pain syndrome, is granted due to continuity of symptomatology since service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive disorder with alcohol dependence, is granted based on credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors and a current diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection for traumatic brain injury is granted due to a documented in-service skull fracture.