Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of acinic cell carcinoma of the right parotid gland and granted it. The remaining claims for neck disability, right ear hearing loss, right ear disability (tinnitus), and an acquired psychiatric condition are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, back disability (including cervical and lumbar spine), obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and psychiatric disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The AOJ will schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board found that there was no evidence to support a service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, as the Veteran's current hearing impairment did not meet VA compensation criteria at separation and there was no medical opinion linking his current condition to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his in-service acoustic trauma and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate VA examination opinions and need for additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was manifested by no worse than Level VII hearing in the right ear and Level VI in the left ear throughout the appeal period, resulting in a disability rating of 30 percent. The Board found that his hearing did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's testimony of in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptoms since service is credible. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation criteria.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they are directly related to his military service, with no presumption or secondary connection.

The Veteran's hearing is manifested by decibel (dB) loss in the right ear of 88 and 81, resulting in a 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by no worse than Level II hearing in both ears, which does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's back condition is granted service connection, but his left ankle disability and acquired psychiatric disabilities are denied. The hearing loss claim remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a hearing, and will schedule a Travel Board hearing before a member of the Board at the Atlanta, Georgia, VA RO.

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

The Board has ordered an addendum opinion to assess the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability. The claim is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current disability. The VA examiner opined that the etiology of the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus was less likely due to his history of noise exposure during active service.

The Board has denied the claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a bilateral elbow disorder as well as PTSD due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.