Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which is considered a direct service connection as it was not linked to any specific exposure or presumption.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected.,Left-sided facial numbness had its onset during service and is considered service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and clarification of notification issues.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with the evidence being in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of hearing loss due to additional development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is related to his military service, specifically his role as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ear hearing loss, a left ring finger disability, and service connection for right ear hearing loss have all been granted. The Veteran is now rated at 10 percent for his left ring finger disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to military service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus are related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran is asked to provide a private medical opinion addressing these deficiencies.

The Veteran's back disorder is not service-connected as it was pre-existing and not aggravated by service.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Board dismissed all issues related to service connection for hearing loss, increased ratings for tinnitus and peripheral vestibular disorder, and earlier effective dates for headaches, peripheral vestibular disorder, and gout and degenerative joint disease of the feet. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not considered related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an earlier effective date for the combined 100 percent rating are both denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, effectively dismissing the case.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 80 percent prior to January 1, 2010 and reduced to zero percent effective January 1, 2010. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.,From January 1, 2010 to June 9, 2010, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.,After June 9, 2010, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.,The ligation of left varicocele was not rated as it did not result in atrophy of both testis or other specified conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection. For right ear hearing loss, the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in service and is not otherwise due to service.,Prior to November 3, 2015, the Veteran's DJD of the lumbar spine did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent. As of November 3, 2015, his condition has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable rating at any time during the appeal period.