Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 4, 2009 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The January 1956 rating decision denying service connection was not found to be clearly and unmistakably erroneous. There is no evidence of a valid claim within one year before November 4, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing on all issues, including the claim of service connection for GERD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus. However, the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for bilateral hearing loss as it did not manifest during service or within one year after separation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence now shows current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is etiologically due to his active duty service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the likely cause of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and whether it is related to his service, specifically noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was at worst manifested by Level II hearing acuity in both ears, and thus did not warrant a compensable initial rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's appeal of the ratings for bilateral hearing loss and diabetic retinopathy with bilateral cataracts remains pending. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also pending.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted a compensable rating prior to August 17, 2016 or a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for updated VA audiometric testing and private treatment records, as well as re-adjudication of the reduction in evaluation claim.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not demonstrate exceptional or unusual manifestations of a hearing loss disability such as would render the available schedular ratings inadequate.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, a respiratory condition, sensitive nerve system, dizziness and loss of balance, gout, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's claims remain denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions are found to be related to his military service. The decision also notes that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure resulting in a current diagnosis of hearing loss.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with continuous symptoms since separation. The criteria for service connection have been met.