Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the obtaining of updated treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and denied an increased rating for lumbar spondylosis. The Veteran's hearing loss did not meet the criteria to qualify as a disability under VA regulations, while his lumbar spondylosis was evaluated based on its current manifestations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to his military service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right hand strain with mild degenerative joint disease, finding no evidence of a current disability or causal link to service. The claim for lumbar spine strain was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but is remanding the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to conflicting evidence and need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and needs further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his in-service acoustic trauma and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including exposure to loud noise during combat. Therefore, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the appeal for additional development due to missing service treatment records from October 2001 to July 2002. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cervical spine disability will be reconsidered after obtaining relevant records.

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

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left ulnar neuropathy/cubital tunnel syndrome were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss or a rating in excess of 20 percent for left ulnar neuropathy/cubital tunnel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA treatment records and an audiogram from May 20, 2014. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these documents are obtained.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his service, specifically his exposure to hazardous noise. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his puretone threshold averages and speech discrimination scores do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service, and the Board finds that there is at least a 50% probability it is related to his military service. The other claims are remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, specifically due to noise exposure. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease resulting in hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities and vocational background have not prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to February 12, 2014.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected residuals, frostbite, bilateral feet and bilateral hearing loss disability do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The Veteran's claim for increased rating of his hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was manifested by impairment of auditory acuity that is noncompensably disabling, and the criteria for an initial compensable rating have not been met.