Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations regarding his claims of hearing loss, tinnitus, and sinus disability. The VA will conduct these examinations and provide a decision based on the new evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but further development is needed before the merits of the claim can be addressed.

Service connection granted for right ankle disorder secondary to service-connected lumbar strain with spondylosis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as well as posttraumatic arthritis of left ankle. Effective dates assigned are February 7, 2011, for all conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and service connection on the basis of aggravation for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's pre-existing right ear hearing loss is considered to have been aggravated by military service, while his current left ear hearing loss is found to be related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA audiometric testing results and scheduling a VA audiological examination. The Veteran's claim will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of hearing loss within one year after separation from service and the September 2014 VA examiner opined it is less likely as not caused by in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service connection claim for a lung disorder, to include as due to asbestos exposure, is not addressed. His claims for increased ratings for herpes progenitalis and bilateral hearing loss were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and perforated tympanic membranes, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or chronicity within one year after separation from service. The VA examiners opined that the current hearing loss is less likely related to service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were denied. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his hearing loss, and his lumbar spine disability did not result in incapacitating episodes or unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his active military service, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left ankle fracture, finding that the Veteran's current left ankle disorder is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The hearing loss and tinnitus claims are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations of his hearing loss and respiratory conditions.

The Veteran's hearing acuity was normal upon separation from service, and there is no evidence of an increase in hearing loss during service. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes.,There is no competent credible evidence to support a finding that the Veteran has tinnitus causally related to or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and additional development is required.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board. At worst, his bilateral hearing loss is productive of no more than Level II right ear and Level II left ear hearing acuity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board has denied all service connection claims except for the reopening of a previously denied claim for allergic rhinitis, which was reopened based on new and material evidence. The Veteran's other conditions are not currently shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw their appeal concerning the service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and as a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board found that there is no current disability with respect to the Veteran's right hand injury and denied his claim for service connection. The hearing loss claim was remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the cancellation of his scheduled hearing. His claims for service connection are still pending and will be addressed after a new hearing date is set.