Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after service, and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure. However, the Veteran reported experiencing symptoms since service and his current conditions are related to acoustic trauma from service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a current disability during service or within one year after separation. The VA audiological examinations did not show significant threshold shifts in either ear.

The Board has determined that the VA examination opinion is inadequate for purposes of service connection and remanded the case to obtain an addendum opinion. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that his hearing loss did not have its clinical onset in service or be related to active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they are related to his military service, despite some conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a left ankle disability, prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran likely has bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus that are attributable to his period of active military service, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA's schedular guidelines. Service connection claims for back, respiratory, and hypertension disorders are also pending.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, indicating that a recent rating decision granting an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss satisfied his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been granted an initial 0 percent rating effective May 24, 2007. The appeal is resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, including obtaining STRs and post-service medical records. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has not been manifested by hearing acuity worse than Level III in either ear, and therefore does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and dismissed the claim of entitlement to an initial rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for increased evaluations for coronary artery disease and bilateral hearing loss, as well as the claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability, are no longer before the Board.

The Veteran's initial rating for left ear hearing loss was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. Service connection for right ear hearing loss was also denied due to lack of evidence meeting VA's definition of hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for initial ratings and service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, low back disorder, depression/anxiety/nerve problems, chest disorder, neck disorder, and mouth disorder. The RO denied some of these claims but granted others. The case is being remanded to the RO for further action.