Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not due to acoustic trauma experienced during a period of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) in the United States Army Reserves, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be at least in equipoise with service connection, granted based on noise exposure during active duty.,A painful and tender residual scar associated with a left herniorrhaphy is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and its relationship to service. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity for a supplemental medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was granted, as the evidence showed manifestations of the disability prior to March 25, 2013.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was established based on in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. Service connection is established based on direct evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of service connection for asbestosis and an earlier effective date for the increased rating award of 60 percent for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has experienced continuous symptoms of bilateral hearing loss since his active service, and grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The case will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting left ear hearing loss did not increase in severity during service, and thus denied service connection for left ear hearing loss. The right ear hearing loss and tinnitus issues are remanded due to conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied, but his service connection for the condition was granted with a 40 percent disability evaluation effective February 28, 2013. The effective date of this grant was also advanced to February 28, 2013.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not shown to be present during service or for many years thereafter, and the VA examiner opined that it is less likely than not related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in service and is not related to noise exposure during his military service. The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not manifest within one year of separation from service, and there was no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore service connection is not warranted. For left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, while diagnosed, there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 20% effective December 6, 2012 and increased to 40% effective August 28, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and assigned a rating of 10 percent. The Veteran's hypertension is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, so no increase in rating is warranted. Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling issue, and the Veteran's hearing is rescheduled.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right hand disorder, and left hand disorder. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for decreased visual acuity in the left eye, as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim. The claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to insufficient development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for a VA examination.