Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been clinically shown to be manifested by no worse than Level II impairment in the right ear, and Level I in the left ear. The criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability have not been met.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not considered to be related to service, while his tinnitus is found to have onset in service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The Board also determined that the Veteran incurred a bilateral hearing loss disability during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was aggravated during service and is therefore granted as service connected.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a new VA examination and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches due to traumatic brain injury have been granted a 40% rating, effective August 13, 2007. The decision also found that the Veteran's tinnitus is service connected and his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has not warranted an increased rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for higher, extra-schedular ratings for cervical spine disability and bilateral hearing loss prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, are related to his military service. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including radiculopathy, DDD cervical spine, bilateral hearing loss, and DDD cervical spine - left upper extremity, precluded him from securing and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a clarifying VA audiology opinion to address the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a laceration of the left third finger over the distal aspect of the proximal phalanx on the radial side, finding that it is related to the Veteran's military service. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) and left ear hearing loss are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has requested the Veteran's missing service treatment records and is remanding the case for these records to be obtained. The appeal will then be readjudicated.

The Veteran's tinnitus and current bilateral hearing loss disability are found to be related to his military service. However, the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed hepatitis disability for which he is seeking service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA audiological examination and updated medical records.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is related to his acknowledged in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's assertions of in-service noise exposure are credible.,Regarding the left shoulder condition, the case is REMANDED to obtain additional medical records and provide a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's assertions regarding in-service noise exposure and current symptoms are credible. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence of a medical nexus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss (also claimed as pain in left ear) was reopened, and his PTSD resulted in a disability rating of 70 percent. The effective date is not specified.