Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to noise exposure during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral sensorineural high frequency hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's current hearing loss, tinnitus and neck disability are reasonably shown to be related to service. The Board grants the claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to noise exposure during his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety and bilateral hearing loss are rated at 50 percent prior to April 17, 2014, and 60 percent thereafter. The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU effective January 14, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to ensure all relevant evidence, including the actual August 2010 audiometric testing results, has been associated with his claims file. The claim for a compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss will be readjudicated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service, with exostoses and otosclerosis being the underlying conditions for both issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes, and thus service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for the issues of PTSD, arthritis of the neck, low back, and left side, cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, right knee disability, headaches, hearing loss, a disability to account for joint and body aches, and sore throat. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need to consider whether a combined extraschedular rating should be considered.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased initial rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's left ear hearing loss was incurred as a result of noise exposure during active service. Therefore, service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be incurred in service, and the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded. The issue of service connection for loss of auricle has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes, and therefore his claim for service connection is denied.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, as there is evidence of in-service noise exposure and current disabilities. The decision also allows the reopening of previously denied claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss did not manifest within one year of service and was not incurred or aggravated by in-service noise exposure. The claim for service connection was denied as there is no evidence linking his current hearing loss to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with consideration given to the possibility of delayed-onset conditions. The decision grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA audiological examination and opinion provided in August 2012 are not adequate to decide the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is therefore being remanded for further development.