Hearing loss Board decisions

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

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his military service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including any noise exposure. The case is REMANDED for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including a review of the medical evidence to determine if his left ear hearing loss is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they likely originated during active service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the appellant's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted, and the Board finds that his tinnitus is etiologically related to his period of active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is incurred in service and his adenocarcinoma of the prostate with urinary stress incontinence is not related to service, including herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, with the Board finding that reasonable doubt should be resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is likely related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing before the Board at the earliest available opportunity. The issues of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability and service connection for a respiratory disability, to include as a result of asbestos exposure remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records. The Veteran's hearing loss disability may have worsened since his last VA examination in August 2013.

The Veteran's current diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically the acoustic trauma he experienced as an aircraft mechanic. The Board finds that service connection is warranted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss will be reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is service-connected, and he will be assigned a numeric designation for bilateral hearing impairment based on puretone threshold average and speech discrimination in each ear under Table VI. A percentage evaluation for bilateral hearing impairment will then be assigned under 38 C.F.R. § 4.85.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service, and his neck condition is at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by a contusion sustained in service. Therefore, both conditions are granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant's National Guard service meets the threshold service requirement for potential receipt of VA compensation benefits, allowing him to pursue claims for service connection on the merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during or as a result of active military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records from SSA and VA, as well as any private providers. The claims will be adjudicated again in light of all pertinent evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for consideration of an extra-schedular rating due to the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeal is also remanded for further development regarding service connection issues.