Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated at 80 percent from August 3, 2011 to January 8, 2014. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating during this period.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings for hypertension and left ear hearing loss, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to decide the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. A new medical opinion will be obtained from a VA audiologist or similarly qualified examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his military service, and grants entitlement to service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected left ear hearing loss, chronic rhinitis, and right knee strain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to determine current severity.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his TDIU claim are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The RO must provide a supplemental statement of the case with consideration of this new evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is at least as likely as not caused by his military service. The claim for a back disability remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral knee condition is not service connected as it was not incurred or aggravated during active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA. The claims for hearing loss disability and tinnitus are remanded due to insufficient evidence on record.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions did not increase in severity during service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 17, 2008, and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on the VA audiometric results provided.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as evaluated by VA audiometric examinations in 2007 and 2011, did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the rating schedule. The Board found that his hearing impairment was not severe enough to warrant an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's hearing loss was rated as noncompensably disabling prior to January 4, 2011. Since then, the rating has been increased to 30 percent effective February 3, 2009.,Since December 22, 2011, the Veteran's hearing loss has been rated at 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his active service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The VA determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not have its onset during service and is not related to military noise exposure. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new audiometric examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. It is found that these conditions are attributable to service, specifically noise exposure during military service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and an increased evaluation for tinnitus were denied. The claim for a compensable evaluation for hearing loss is not ready for appellate disposition due to incomplete records.