Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to service, with a finding in favor of granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to service, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining clarification on whether a Maryland CNC Word Test was used in an August 2015 audiological evaluation and scheduling the Veteran for a new examination to evaluate his current bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is not related to service, as evidenced by a significant change in hearing acuity during his first period of service which was shown to be temporary by subsequent audiograms. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as zero percent disabling since November 21, 2011. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was increased to a 60 percent rating effective January 10, 2012. The current level of disability is not sufficient for an even higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The appeals for service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction are REMANDED.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 10 percent prior to April 21, 2015 and at 20 percent on or after that date. The claim for an evaluation in excess of these ratings is denied. Sleep apnea was not service connected.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records, as well as potential service connection for headaches secondary to tinnitus.

The Board has denied all the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection, finding that May 10, 2010 is the correct date of receipt of his initial claim.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be caused by in-service exposure to excessive and harmful noise, resulting in the grant of service connection for tinnitus. The bilateral hearing loss claim is pending further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea. The left shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent, while the right ankle disability was also rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the TDIU claim can be adjudicated. The July 2012 VA examination was inadequate as it did not address all service-connected conditions, including PTSD and hearing loss. A new social and industrial survey must be conducted to assess the Veteran's employability.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of his noise exposure claims.