Hearing loss Board decisions

The appeal is REMANDED to obtain additional medical records and for further examination.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be present during service or within one year of separation. There is no evidence of chronic symptoms since service separation, nor was there a diagnosis of these conditions until many years after separation. Therefore, the criteria for service connection are not met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is related to his period of active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The decision also finds in favor of the Veteran regarding his claims for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted as of May 3, 2013. The claim for service connection for a deviated nasal septum is dismissed.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and no compensable rating is warranted based on the provided audiometric results.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its inception in service and persisted since, warranting the grant of service connection. The case is remanded for further development regarding bilateral hearing loss and PTSD.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service, with current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board denied a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and found no service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and opinion regarding the cumulative effects of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their onset in service, were not exhibited within the first post-service year, and are not otherwise related to service. As such, the claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent since February 16, 2012. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating are not met and thus denies the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure on the flight line, and thus service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for TBI was received on November 17, 2009. The effective date of service connection is assigned as of that date.,An increased evaluation to 30 percent for allergic rhinitis is granted beginning August 30, 2010.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection on a presumptive basis as it became manifest within one year of his separation from service. His claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus or any higher rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the reduction of the rating for bilateral hearing loss from 10% to noncompensable was proper, and denied the claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss since August 2, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and a VA industrial/occupational examination.