Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his military service, including exposure to loud noises during combat. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss disability and for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, adrenal gland tumor, glaucoma, hidradenitis skin disability, colon polyps, reflux esophagus, hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, restrictive lung disease, tumor neoplasm of the right side, and hypertension. The appeal was also denied for reopening claims for service connection for removal of all toenails except for the left great toenail.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for VA examinations to assess the current level of his hearing disability, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and bilateral hearing loss do not meet the criteria for service connection or higher initial ratings, respectively.

The Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as it meets the criteria for direct service connection due to a current disability (bilateral hearing loss) meeting VA's definition of hearing loss during service, continuity of symptomatology since service, and no evidence against this finding.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no evidence of such during service or within one year post-service.,Service connection for partial amputation of the left index finger was also denied, with the condition noted at service entrance and not aggravated by any in-service disease or injury.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, psychiatric disorder, COPD, and hypertension. The evidence received since the May 2009 rating decision is new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is related to his service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete records, lack of evidence supporting a 1956 claim, and need for an additional VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability was not found to be incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied.,Service-connected generalized anxiety disorder has been rated at 70 percent effective May 31, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, and there is no evidence of worsening or additional disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his withdrawal of the claim for service connection for atrial fibrillation. The VA will conduct a new examination and provide an opinion on whether bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including a claim for increased ratings for his service-connected right ear hearing loss and residuals of mastoidectomy, as well as a claim for a compensable rating for multiple noncompensable disabilities. The case is being remanded to allow for further development and consideration.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability originated during his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions are shown to be related to his active duty service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year following service, and the medical opinion provided does not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have resulted in the loss of use of both lower extremities, such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. Therefore, he is entitled to specially adapted housing.