Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability is granted. The most probative evidence of record demonstrates that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran has right ear hearing loss disability that is etiologically related to service.

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

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic small cell lung cancer, which is presumed to have been caused by herbicide exposure in service. The Veteran's diabetes and COPD are also presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in service.

The Board has decided that the case should be returned to the RO for additional development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated as noncompensable prior to September 15, 2016 and as 40 percent disabling since that date. The appeal is denied for both periods.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability due to lack of confirmation of any change in hearing status since the last adequate evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for hypertension, cold injuries of the left upper extremity, and a disorder manifested by syncope. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be etiologically related to his active duty service. Service connection for hypertension was not established as it did not manifest within one year post-service. Cold injuries of the left upper extremities are not shown by the competent evidence of record, and a disorder manifested by syncope has not been linked to active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 22, 2016; a rating in excess of 40 percent from November 22, 2016 to February 5, 2017; and a rating in excess of 10 percent since February 6, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability, bilateral foot disability, bilateral hand disability, hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are not supported by the evidence of record. The preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to have started during service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of current disability for these conditions as defined by VA standards. For his right hand condition with carpal tunnel, the Board finds in favor of the Veteran based on credible lay statements regarding the onset and continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board found no evidence of left ear hearing loss or tinnitus in service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection based on lack of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection were denied. The Board found that the March 2009 denial of PTSD was not final, but his claim to reopen this denial is considered a downstream issue which does not require VCAA notice.

The Veteran's appeal involves his bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary, including obtaining updated VA examinations for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a clarifying opinion from the VA examiner who conducted his April 2012 hearing loss examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his active duty service, including a motor vehicle accident during service.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is presumed to be due to noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The decision on left ear hearing loss is pending as it was addressed in a separate issue.