Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating prior to October 19, 2010 for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for an upper back disability were denied. The December 2016 reduction in the rating for hearing loss was found to be void ab initio.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be service-connected. The Veteran's hiatal hernia and multiple gallstones are not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to noise exposure during military service and may not be presumed due to a one-year post-service onset period. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus since July 10, 2010.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, including obtaining his Navy Reserve records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to service exposure to noise, and the Board grants service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was not found to be incurred in or aggravated during service. The Board also denied the claim for lumbar spine disability due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current lung disorder or hearing loss disability, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 4, 2010. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran likely has bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus that are attributable to his military service, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor. Therefore, the claims for service connection for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is due to his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and otitis media as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide the necessary examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetic nephropathy, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and job skills. The Board granted entitlement to a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are found to be related to his military service. The Board also finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy due to cold injury in service, which is considered as part of the same claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was diagnosed in service and has been continuous since then. The lung disability (claimed as Asbestosis, COPD, and Lung Cancer) is considered a direct service connection case based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding service treatment records. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus will be reconsidered after obtaining these records.