Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable prior to November 8, 2014, and as 10 percent disabling since that date. The Board found no basis for higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their clinical onset during service or within one year of either period of active duty, and thus cannot be presumed to have been incurred therein. The VA examiner found no evidence of permanent hearing loss in either ear until after both periods of active service, and concluded that any current hearing loss is less likely related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as there is no competent evidence of a present hearing loss disability.

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

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability and hearing loss disability. The claim for tinnitus was granted, but only as a result of resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his service, including noise exposure during active duty. The preponderance of evidence is against finding these conditions related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, but has decided that her claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not warranted based on the evidence of record. The issues have been REMANDED to allow further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to in-service noise exposure. The VA and VHA opinions found no evidence of acoustic trauma or significant auditory threshold shift during active duty.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by his period of active military service, nor may they be presumed to have been so incurred.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is likely as not related to noise exposure during his period of active military service. The Veteran's chronic tinnitus is also likely as not related to noise exposure during his period of active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and is now considering the increased rating claim for bilateral hearing loss. The effective date of the grant of service connection will be assigned, and the issue of extraschedular consideration for the increased rating claim will also be addressed.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and skin condition are not related to his military service, including exposure to noise or herbicide agents. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and verifying the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Korea. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and psychiatric disabilities are also being considered.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be etiologically related to his active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as of September 25, 2008 due to his service-connected disabilities. He was also granted special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical clarification regarding the etiology and nature of the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee disorder and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were caused by noise exposure during active service, and the Board has established service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disability and bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have current disabilities related to his military service or noise exposure, and thus service connection is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA clinician regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim.