Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened, but his increased rating claims for bilateral hearing loss and multiple non-compensable disabilities were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left ankle disabilities, as well as a new foot disability claim, were all granted. The hearing loss claim was reduced to zero percent effective September 1, 2015.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms within one year postservice. The VA examinations did not find a link between the disabilities and service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion from an audiologist regarding whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current hearing loss of the right ear is causally or etiologically related to his military service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. His claims include seeking an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for asbestosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction have been granted.

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

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded it. The Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip disorder and right hip disorder are denied as there is no evidence showing a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the appellant's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by his service, including ACDUTRA. The balance disorder was determined to have pre-existed his service and was not aggravated during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss for VA purposes, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and a higher effective date for service connection of his low back disability. The claim to reopen for vision disability was also denied as no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from engaging in substantially gainful employment, and therefore the criteria for a TDIU have not been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not meet VA disability criteria and was not related to his military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. As a result, the Board dismisses this issue.

The Veteran's TBI residuals were granted with a 10% rating prior to October 23, 2008 and a 30% rating thereafter. The cognitive impairment was also granted with a 10% rating as of October 23, 2008.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he asserts is due to in-service noise exposure. The Board finds that a VA audiological examination should be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed hearing loss and/or tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has resulted in no worse than level II hearing acuity in the right ear and level IV in the left ear, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA compensation purposes and therefore, service connection is denied.