Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA audiological examination and medical opinion are inadequate for ratings purposes, and thus the Veteran's claims must be remanded to obtain a new VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and residuals of bilateral perforated ear drums are related to his service, including exposure to loud noise and injury from a Claymore mine explosion. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to inadequate consideration of his entire history of noise exposure during National Guard service, including periods of active duty and ACDUTRA.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of his claims, including a heart disability claim due to presumed herbicide exposure.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable initial rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss, meniscal tears and osteoarthritis of the left knee, and meniscal tears and osteoarthritis of the right knee are all found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus had their onset during his active service, specifically due to combat-related noise exposure. As such, the claims for service connection are granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a disability that warrants a higher rating.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 50 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, effective September 1, 2016. The evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable under the VA rating schedule. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss. The Board also found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is likely related to his noise exposure during active duty service, thus granting service connection.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and a back/neck disability. The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lower back pain, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are service-connected, with no new or material evidence found to reopen the claim for GERD.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of evidence is against finding a link between the Veteran's current sinusitis, bronchitis and low back disability with his military service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was not addressed in this decision.