Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was manifested by hearing acuity no worse than Level III in the right ear and Level III in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating. The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since July 2010. The Board found that the evidence did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was denied by the Board. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's hearing impairment, at worst, met Level IV and V criteria in each ear, resulting in a 10% disability evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6100.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right knee disorder, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Veteran was granted increased ratings of 50% for PTSD with dysthymia prior to March 13, 2008, and 70% thereafter. He was also granted a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his puretone thresholds and speech recognition scores do not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and chronic nonsuppurative otitis media was denied by the Board. The evidence did not support an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate previous examinations and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's hearing loss is being evaluated again by a VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with current evidence showing a nexus between in-service noise exposure and these conditions. As such, both claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board is dismissing the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is a current disability and was incurred in service due to noise exposure, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active duty service. The low back disability is not currently service connected, but the Board finds in favor of granting it based on credible statements regarding in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not caused by his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, specifically noise exposure during active duty in Vietnam. The evidence supports a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is reopened. However, the evidence does not meet the criteria for a current disability as defined in 38 C.F.R. § 3.385 and thus the claim is denied. The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to service and granted service connection for this condition. Service connection was also granted for tinnitus, which is considered a symptom of his bilateral hearing loss.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since the effective date of service connection. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted, as new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim. Bilateral hearing loss is linked by a medical professional to his active service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to January 5, 2017 was denied. Since then, his claim has been granted with an increased rating of 10 percent effective January 5, 2017.