Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case for clarification of test results related to the Veteran's hearing loss evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service, including exposure to noise. The VA examiner found that the current hearing loss and tinnitus are not at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The evidence does not show a current disability for VA purposes within one year of separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and thus service connection is denied. The remaining claims are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and noise exposure history.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his time in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left ear hearing loss are service-connected based on direct evidence of a current disability, as evidenced by audiometric testing results. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as they are both rated at the minimum level (0%) due to their respective disability levels.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is service-connected, as his current symptoms are related to an in-service motor vehicle accident. The right ear hearing loss claim remains pending and will be remanded for further examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, and denied his claim for service connection. The right foot and ankle issues were remanded due to allegations of increased severity since the last examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's left knee disability. The claims will be readjudicated after all development is completed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from a VA audiologist.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cancer of the tongue and left tonsil (claimed as cancer of the larynx) is denied. The Board finds that there is no evidence to support a finding that his current condition is related to service, including presumed herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and VA treatment records. The case will be reconsidered after this development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and his satisfaction with the decision means there are no specific errors of fact or law to review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or acoustic trauma. The Veteran's current hearing loss disability was first noted many years after service, and his tinnitus did not manifest until after service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for recognition as the surviving spouse of the Veteran, for the purpose of substitution or obtaining accrued benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is not shown to be productive of worse than Level I hearing acuity in both ears, and therefore does not warrant a compensable evaluation.