Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that there is no post-service diagnosis of tinnitus and the Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is denied. The issue of bilateral hearing loss was addressed in a separate decision.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was manifested by level VIII hearing acuity, which does not warrant a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on both issues of right ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining medical records and examining his employability given his service-connected disabilities. His claims for secondary psychiatric disorder and increased ratings are also pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new medical opinion on the nature and etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus was granted. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service combat experience, while his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not shown until decades after service and are unrelated to military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the criteria for ratings under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities do not warrant such a rating.

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, nor is there sufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and military noise exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his service, including noise exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for the merits of the case.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an increase in disability rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim for service connection for left hip injury, to include degenerative joint disease, was denied as there is no evidence of a left hip injury or disease during service and the current condition did not manifest within one year after service separation.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing to address the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The appeal is currently in process and will be handled expeditiously.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder did not manifest during or as a result of active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss and residuals of right leg burn. The skin disorder is considered to be new and material as it was not previously evaluated due to lack of evidence in service records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA audiometric evaluation results and scheduling a VA examination to determine the severity of his left ear hearing loss. The issue regarding what evaluation is in order for right ear conductive hearing loss is intertwined with the service connection claim. For the 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 claim, a statement of the case must be issued and the Veteran has the opportunity to file a substantive appeal if he chooses.

The Veteran's asthma was not incurred in or aggravated by military service, as it existed prior to his entrance into active duty.,Service connection for sinusitis, deviated nasal septum, and bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and has continued since then, granting service connection for tinnitus. The hearing loss disability is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 8, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new audiometric examination and an opinion regarding the relationship between his hearing loss and service.