Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss did not warrant a compensable evaluation, as his disability was rated at zero percent under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 60 percent effective August 13, 2012, and increased to 70 percent effective May 10, 2014.

The Veteran's current tinnitus began in active service and the Board has found that it is related to his service. The left ear hearing loss is also considered as being related to service, but an opinion on aggravation of hearing loss by tinnitus could not be provided without speculation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence supports a link between his in-service noise exposure and his current hearing loss. Service connection is now established.

The Board has ordered a new VA audiological examination due to the inconsistency and unreliability of previous audiometric test results. The Veteran's hearing loss is related to noise exposure during active service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to errors in the VA records and need for additional evidence regarding his employment and daily activities. A new VA examination will be arranged.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss are found to be related to service exposure, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable under the applicable rating criteria. The VA audiometric evaluations did not show an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment, and the functional impairment caused by this disorder was noted in both examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and readjudication, including consideration of his claims for higher disability ratings on an extraschedular basis.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in service, as they pre-existed his entry into active duty. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO, and the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is still pending.

The Court has restored the Veteran's disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss from 20% to 90%, effective August 1, 2009.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left ear nerve damage can be decided. The Veteran's current hearing loss may not have been caused by in-service noise exposure, and updated VA treatment records and private medical records are requested.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as it is presumed to be related to his in-service acoustic trauma.,Service connection for anxiety disorder is granted based on a finding of continuity of symptomatology and the Veteran's reported fear of hostile military activity during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to service, but his tinnitus was not attributable to service and did not manifest within one year of separation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD and other service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim will also be considered.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but his claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and requires further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and review of the evidence, including audiometric testing conversion and expert opinion on etiology.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant during the pendency of the appeal.