Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were denied initial compensable evaluations. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation based on his audiometric test results and range of motion findings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is related to his in-service acoustic trauma, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's military police officer MOS and specific examples of noise exposure during service have established noise exposure in service. The January 2018 private audiometry shows a current hearing loss disability, and a private opinion states it is at least as likely as not related to service noise exposure. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's in-service symptoms of decreased hearing acuity and threshold shifts are at least in equipoise with his current hearing loss disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible reports of in-service onset and continuity of symptomatology.

This decision denies service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remands the issues of service connection for left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, and residuals of the left 4th and 5th finger dislocation. The effective date for the grant of service connection for residuals of the left 4th and 5th finger dislocation is also being remanded.,Entitlement to an earlier effective date than December 17, 2014, for the award of service connection for residuals of the left 4th and 5th finger dislocation is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss began during service and is related to in-service noise exposure. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected due to exposure to noise during active duty.

Tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been granted service connection.,Diabetes mellitus has not required a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's right hip disability, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction are all found to be related to his service. However, the diabetes mellitus is not considered secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent disabling, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of low back injury with herniated nucleus pulposus L4-L5 and degenerative changes is dismissed. The Veteran's left shoulder condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for recurrent pneumonia is granted, while his claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining outstanding records and current VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a significant shift in hearing thresholds on audiometric testing at enlistment and separation from service. The preponderance of the evidence failed to establish a link between the current hearing disability and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for updated medical evidence and a new examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, particularly regarding his hearing loss and potential Vietnam exposure. The appeals are not related to service connection.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and consideration, including service connection claims for various conditions and a TDIU rating. The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of adequate response from the July 2012 VA examiner regarding the etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus, specifically related to any middle ear disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of left ear hearing loss due to a worsening condition since the last examination.