Hearing loss Board decisions

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

Right ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure during active duty for training (ACDUTRA). Right ear hearing loss was aggravated by ACDUTRA, while tinnitus had its onset during ACDUTRA.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD are currently rated at 40 percent each, but the Board finds that no higher rating is warranted as there is no evidence of exceptional hearing impairment or significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss due to service, as his hearing was normal at discharge and there is no evidence of noise exposure causing permanent hearing loss. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including back condition, cataracts, hearing loss, tinnitus, sinus disability, hypertension, stomach condition (including dysmenorrhea), sickle cell anemia, thyroid disease, and psychiatric disabilities. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a disability during the appeal period.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective June 11, 2012. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of this date.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, granted service connection for tinnitus, and denied service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's skin disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a pre-service or in-service onset. The skin disability claim is remanded as the Veteran may have been exposed to Agent Orange during service, and his current condition could be related.,Service connection for a back disability and bilateral hip disability are also remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for equilibrium disorder secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss, an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to incomplete development. The Veteran needs to provide VA Form 21-4142 for any physicians who have treated his equilibrium disorder and bilateral hearing loss, and a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any equilibrium disorder and the current severity of his service-connected hearing loss disability.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability at present, defined by VA standards.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not considered severe enough for VA disability compensation.,His right ear hearing loss was noted at entry and did not worsen during service.

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

The Veteran's hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability and granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The denial of the right ankle disability claim is based on lack of evidence linking it to service, while the grant of service connection for right ear hearing loss is due to credible reports of noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and prostate cancer are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and updated treatment records.