Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Board found that the procedural requirements for reducing the Veteran's hearing loss disability rating were met, and denied restoration of a 100% evaluation as there was no evidence of improvement in his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during his service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his period of service, as there was no indication of damage to his peripheral auditory system at discharge. The VA examinations did not establish a link between the Veteran's symptoms and military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is the result of noise exposure during active military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for residuals of a right little finger fracture and bilateral hearing loss disability was denied. The Board found that the current ratings were adequate as they considered the severity and symptomatology of the disabilities.

The Board found the evidence in equipoise, finding that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not caused by or the result of hazardous noise exposure during military service. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is granted.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's claim for status as a Veteran for VA purposes, specifically regarding bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, needs further development. The case is being remanded to obtain additional information from the Appellant's service personnel records and relevant medical records. A VA addendum opinion will also be obtained to determine whether the Appellant's current hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred in the line of duty during active duty for training or inactive duty for training.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the remaining claims are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The left ear hearing loss disability was not found to warrant a compensable rating, while the head injury with chronic headaches claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to TBI was also denied.

The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss on an extraschedular basis, finding that the established schedular criteria adequately describe the severity and symptomatology of the Veteran's disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the sufficiency of audiometric testing results and the need for a new VA audiology examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss, rated as 10 percent effective April 21, 2015, was denied by the RO. The case is being remanded to obtain clarification on whether speech recognition testing under the Maryland CNC test was conducted during a June 2013 VA audiology examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability did not manifest in service or within one year of service, and the competent, probative evidence does not relate it to active duty. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and skin cancer. The decision on left ear hearing loss is due to a lack of evidence showing a present disability during or within one year after service, while the skin cancer issue remains pending.

The Veteran's request for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a circulatory disorder of the lower extremities and bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The Veteran also has not met the criteria for an increased rating for his left knee disability or entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a hemorrhoidectomy was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for his service-connected conditions during the period on appeal.