Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations if necessary. The case will be readjudicated after the development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to acoustic trauma, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, which pre-existed military service, was not aggravated during active military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule him for examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including right shoulder disability, hypertension, heart disability (mitral valve prolapse), PTSD, TBI, lumbar strain, and need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection petitions for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been remanded due to the Veteran's inability to attend a scheduled hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss, as defined by VA regulations. Therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a video conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The issues include reopening of service connection claims and new service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of more than noncompensable hearing impairment during the appeal period.,Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus (DMII) and hypertension are not granted as these conditions did not manifest within one year after separation from active service, were not otherwise caused by active service, and do not have a link to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's stroke residuals are not service connected as they did not have their onset during active service, were not otherwise caused by active service, and are not proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected disability.,Service connection for asbestosis is denied as there is no evidence of its occurrence in service or within an applicable presumptive period.,The claims to reopen the previously denied right knee and left knee disabilities were withdrawn by the Veteran during his hearing, thus these issues are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including exposure to loud noise from aircraft engines and gunfire. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection for a heart condition, and the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, as there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of a finding that these conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, with the effective date of March 10, 2003 being granted for the reopened claim.

The Board has determined that there is no current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and thus the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left ear hearing loss were not incurred or aggravated by his military service, as evidenced by normal hearing at separation from service. The pre-existing hearing loss did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of leukoplakia was reopened and granted. His hearing loss disability is rated at 10% prior to May 28, 2014 and in excess of 10% thereafter.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under VA's schedular guidelines.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with noise exposure being a significant factor. After considering all evidence of record, including VA examinations and private medical opinions, the Board finds that service connection is warranted for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral tinnitus and hearing loss are related to his military service, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's hypertension and bilateral hearing loss have not met the criteria for a compensable disability rating at any point on appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable under the schedular criteria, and no exceptional pattern of hearing impairment is present. The Board finds that a compensable rating for this disability is not warranted.