Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under VA guidelines. The Board finds no evidence of worsening or additional symptoms that would warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated as noncompensable (zero percent) since its effective date of service connection, June 17, 2008. The medical evidence did not show that the condition warranted a higher rating prior to April 20, 2015.

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

The Veteran's hearing loss is related to active service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted at a noncompensable level, and later increased to 10 percent effective June 10, 2015. The current rating of 10 percent is maintained.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to the acoustic trauma experienced during his military service.,The Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to his bilateral hearing loss.

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

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals regarding the service connection for bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disability (asbestosis), and cervical spine disabilities. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals are being remanded to the RO for a DRO hearing and additional development. The issues include service connection for various conditions, as well as rating claims for knee arthritis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board finds that these conditions are related to military noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to afford the Veteran a hearing, and the appeal is now pending before the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are service-connected as they originated during his active duty service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have arisen in service and continued since, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to noise exposure during active duty. The remaining issues of service connection are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to January 7, 2014, and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter for bilateral hearing loss is considered 'unknown' as the appeal does not specify this issue. The Veteran's claims for service connection for duodenal ulcer (claimed as bleeding ulcers) and loss of balance from Meniere's syndrome are both granted. However, his claim for a left knee disability is not applicable as it was not raised in the appeal.

The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss remains at 10 percent, and his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability for service connection of left ear hearing loss and denied his claim. For right ear hearing loss, the Board determined there is no evidence showing it meets VA's threshold requirements for a disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a right index finger fracture was granted with a 10% rating effective January 4, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss disability was not granted, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was also denied due to the maximum schedular rating already assigned.