Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right eye disability, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for new examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining updated medical records. The TDIU application should also be completed.

The Board found that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or event causing a right knee disability. The Veteran's private physician stated the hearing loss may be related to noise exposure during service, but this was not sufficient to establish service connection as VA does not presume such conditions for ACDUTRA. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, an initial rating higher than 70 percent disabling for anxiety disorder, and entitlement to TDIU were denied due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss is due to aggravation during service, and thus service connection for hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and Vet Center treatment records, audiometric test results, and a new VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling an audiology examination. The issue of TDIU will be addressed after adjudication of the increased rating claim for hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, as there is no positive nexus opinion in the record. The preponderance of evidence is against the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide a VA examination for both hearing loss and tropical fungus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected based on continuity of symptomatology since service. The other issues have been remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have tinnitus or bilateral hearing loss that manifested in service or is otherwise related to his military service. As such, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the lung disability being granted based on exposure to asbestos during service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and malaria are found to have contributed to his death from acute coronary syndrome, but not as the principal cause. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed due to the grant of DIC based on service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun during service and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as VA treatment records are needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss disorder is not related to his service, including exposure to noise during active duty. The appeal for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and he does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's tables for evaluating hearing loss.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. However, the Board found insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between the current hearing loss disabilities and military service.