Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disability was denied.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss were both denied. The Veteran did not have a preexisting tinnitus, but the Board found that service connection could be established based on continuity of symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. For his left knee disorder, the VA examiner opined that it is less likely than not related to service.

The Board found that the appellant's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has not resulted in a compensable rating since its initial award, as his hearing impairment did not meet or exceed the criteria for any higher evaluation under VA's rating schedule. The appeal was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA audiological examination and review of his claims file.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was not shown to be related to his period of service and is presumed to have occurred many years after separation from service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a skin disability. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a current disability as defined by VA regulations, thus denying service connection for this condition. For left ear hearing loss, the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran has a current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's noise exposure during service caused or aggravated these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a chronic condition during service. The VA examiner found it less likely than not that the current hearing loss and tinnitus were caused by service.

The Board found the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability related to service, and denied his claim for service connection. For diabetes mellitus type II, the preponderance of evidence is against finding any link between in-service fainting spells and the current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for an additional medical opinion regarding the etiology of his current hearing disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and prostate cancer. Bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure from artillery fire. Tinnitus is also related to in-service noise exposure. Prostate cancer is presumed due to herbicide exposure while stationed on the USS Larson in 'brown water' Vietnam.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active duty service, warranting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were incurred in service, with no presumption of service connection applicable.

The Veteran's right ankle disability and bilateral hearing loss have been rated at the minimum noncompensable level since February 11, 2014. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability meeting the VA criteria for hearing loss, and the Veteran's in-service noise exposure did not result in a compensable level of hearing impairment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be etiologically related to service, thus the claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus for VA purposes, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was first demonstrated many years after service, and there is no competent, credible, or probative evidence to support a finding that his military service caused or aggravated this condition.

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus, as his tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination in December 2010. The Board is unable to use the scores from this examination to make a determination, and he was told during a 2012 visit that he experienced a 50 percent hearing loss in both ears. The case is being remanded for an updated audiological evaluation.