Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and missing records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and an opinion regarding whether his current hearing loss disability may be related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is service-connected, and he was granted a 10% rating for his left hand scars. The Veteran's left ring finger disability is rated as 10%, with pain noted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is denied for skin cancer.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable under the VA rating schedule. The Board found that his current level of disability does not warrant a compensable evaluation, and thus denied an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing service records and for medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn. The claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, including as secondary to GERD or due to in-service asbestos and/or herbicide exposure, was denied.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and hypertension did not meet the criteria for service connection, as they were not shown to be related to his military service or due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has not resulted in a compensable evaluation as his pure tone thresholds and speech discrimination scores do not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current bilateral hearing loss, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran's type II diabetes is presumed service connected due to exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam Era service. However, the Board finds that his current bilateral hearing loss is not related to in-service noise exposure and thus denies this claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and the Board finds that it is less likely than not caused by his military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination and opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities' impact on employment.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is productive of level III hearing acuity in the right ear and level I hearing acuity in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board finds that the current evaluation adequately reflects the severity of the Veteran's disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims are supported by credible statements regarding in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is as likely as not caused by noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.