Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current bilateral hearing loss disability or thyroid disorder, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support service connection for either condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a dental condition for compensation purposes. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for hearing loss, and there was no indication of a dental condition resulting from military service.

The Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Specifically, an addendum VA opinion is required to address the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, and a search should be conducted to obtain the Veteran's pay stubs from his Naval Reserve service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss on an extra-schedular basis was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for such consideration.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and development, as the current VA audiology examination is inadequate.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The issues on appeal are whether service connection is warranted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service acoustic trauma, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service, with resolution of reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, so the claim is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not have chronic symptoms of hearing loss in service or continuous symptoms after service separation. The evidence did not establish a nexus between current hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss. The claim of service connection for tinnitus is now substantiated by new evidence showing that his tinnitus began in service and persists, while the claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss will be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss warrants a compensable evaluation of 40 percent from June 27, 2011 to August 27, 2013.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the effective dates for service connection of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's reports of in-service noise exposure are consistent with his service, and the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether both disorders are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after service separation, and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a nexus between the current disabilities and active service.