Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was increased to a 30 percent rating effective October 10, 2012.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of these claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is attributable to service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his IVDS and radiculopathy, and conducting any other necessary development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of bilateral hearing loss, asbestosis, and lumbar spine disability have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted, but his claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran withdrew from appeal the issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining an opinion from a VA audiologist regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus and his in-service noise exposure.

The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. The Veteran's claims of service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date earlier than September 10, 2010, for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are currently before the Board.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disorder, lower extremity sciatica, cervical spine disorder, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated during service, and an organic disease of the nervous system is not presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated during service. The evidence does not establish a link between current hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his military service, specifically for back problems. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of recent VA treatment records.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have had its onset during service and is etiologically related to active service, thus granting the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is being remanded to obtain clarification from the private audiologist and/or schedule a VA examination.

The Board denied the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to the appellant's period of active duty training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and is still considering the issue of service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The preexisting conditions did not increase in severity during service, and any current hearing loss is more likely due to natural progression post-service.