Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active service, nor may service connection be presumed. The evidence did not show a present disability during service or within one year of separation from service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss was aggravated by his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hearing loss, considered disabling under VA standards, is the result of an injury incurred during military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right foot disability. The claim for low back disability is pending as an issue.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD, and the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability does not meet VA criteria for a compensable degree. The left ear hearing loss disability was not shown to be related to service.

The Board found no current disability related to the service-connected hepatitis and denied both issues of service connection for residuals of hepatitis and initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet criteria for a higher schedular rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, as it more likely resulted from post-service occupational noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was incurred in, or caused by, his military service and the Board finds that the evidence supports the grant of service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran asserts that his hearing loss is related to service, but the VA examiner found no evidence of high frequency hearing loss at discharge and noted civilian noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's testimony regarding in-service noise exposure and the factual presumption of service connection due to combat status have been considered, along with the VA examiner's opinion that the hearing loss is not related to service. Given the balance of evidence, the claim is granted.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection due to lack of current hearing loss meeting VA compensation criteria, but granted service connection for tinnitus as it had its onset during service.

The case is being remanded for further development of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his service treatment records and scheduling medical examinations.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for headaches, pseudofolliculis barbae, and tinnitus. However, these claims were denied as there was no new and material evidence to support them.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has decided the case needs further examination and review due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure of a scheduled hearing before the Board. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a contemporaneous VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are etiologically related to his active service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Reserve service records and preparing an etiological opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.