Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure. The remaining claims of service connection for Meniere's disease, basal cell carcinoma, and residuals of a tumor of the right thigh have been remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this case as he passed away during its pendency.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of extraschedular considerations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss had its onset during military service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred during active military service, as there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence. The preponderance of the evidence showed that his hearing loss and tinnitus began after he left service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations, and thus service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current disability for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has current hearing loss disability and/or tinnitus causally related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tension headaches has been granted. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to August 1, 2013, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a rating of 20 percent effective from October 2014, based on his most recent VA examination results.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), fatigue, and left ear hearing loss. The claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, vertigo, and increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a supplemental opinion from an audiologist regarding whether the Veteran's hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure. The VA must also obtain treatment records from the Ann Arbor VAMC and ensure that all requested development actions have been completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's melanoma and bilateral hearing loss are not service-connected, with no recurrence of melanoma documented in the record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an initial compensable rating based on audiometric test results, resulting in no more than a noncompensable rating under Table VII of VA's Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and IVDS with right side radiculopathy have been granted. His claim for an increased rating for low back disability has also been granted, but the effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun in service and he has current bilateral hearing loss, but the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating. The claim for a dental disorder for compensation purposes is denied as there is no diagnosed condition that would qualify under VA regulations.