Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left ear hearing loss disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as they existed prior to service entry. The tinnitus was also not shown to be related to service.,For his left ankle degenerative joint disease, a VA examination is needed to assess the current range of motion and any additional functional loss due to pain during flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the right ear hearing loss issue. The remaining claims were denied as there is no legal basis for a higher rating.

The Board has decided that the VA examination is inadequate and needs to be supplemented with a new one or another VA examiner review of the claims file. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus need further evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service exposure to significant acoustic trauma while serving as a U.S. Army infantryman in combat in Vietnam, and the claims for service connection are granted.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and granulomas of the lungs.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, osteoarthritis of the right hand, and a right elbow disability due to lack of current disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is attributable to service and the Board finds that service connection for this condition is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, and therefore denied both claims.

The case is being remanded due to the Veteran's request for an RO hearing before a local hearing officer. The appeal will be returned to the Board after any further development and if needed, a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence showing a current disability, or a link between the claimed conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to her period of service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has not been found to be severe enough to warrant a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation criteria.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the adequacy of previous examinations and opinions, as well as to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have originated during service. However, his right and left ear hearing loss do not meet the criteria for service connection as stated in VA regulations. The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder but denied service connection for heart palpitations, headaches, shortness of breath, and fatigue.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability due to its indication of worsening symptoms since his last VA examination in August 2013.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 22, 2013, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter was granted.,A 10 percent evaluation is assigned beginning January 25, 2013.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military service, with the Board resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.