Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the decision favoring the Veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely related to noise exposure during his military service, but the medical opinions provided do not conclusively establish this. The case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral tinnitus is related to his service, including exposure to loud noise during military service. However, there is not enough evidence to support a finding of service connection for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are considered, but the RO determined he is not unemployable due to these conditions. The case is now remanded for further development including obtaining information on his education and occupational skills.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective January 7, 2016. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms prior to this date did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss being due to his in-service noise exposure, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service, and therefore denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to failure to substantially comply with prior remand directives.

The Board found that the Appellant did not have current bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues were also addressed but are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his active military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by auditory acuity levels that do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is service-connected, as it was present during his military service and continues to persist. The neck disorder, however, did not manifest within a year of separation from service and there is no evidence linking it to active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and increased rating for right ear hearing loss have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a current disability in either ear as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent prior to October 26, 2017, and 50 percent thereafter. The Board finds that the evidence does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as he did not file a formal or informal claim prior to March 23, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show any greater than Level III hearing acuity in either ear, warranting a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to military noise exposure. The Board also finds that service connection for a bilateral foot disability, neurological disabilities of the upper and lower extremities secondary to cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records review.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for clarification of the results from a private audiology evaluation and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed as there are no remaining issues for review.