Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, and right hip disability have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and service. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection due to lack of in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a respiratory disability including COPD, asthma, and dyspnea are all granted. The respiratory disability claim is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding insecticide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, but his bilateral hearing loss is not. The evidence does not show a current disability for which he can be granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's reports of symptoms are credible and that there is a continuity of symptomatology from service. The Board also found that the evidence supports a link between noise exposure in service and current hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not caused by active service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection. The hearing loss issue remains pending due to lack of evidence.

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 active duty service. The claim for service connection for a personality disorder was remanded due to inadequate examination report.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has current sensorineural hearing loss in his right ear, which meets the criteria for a disability rating under VA compensation guidelines. Tinnitus is also found to be incurred during service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service records and potential acoustic trauma exposure during active duty training.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by in-service noise exposure. The issue of service connection for a stomach disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his service-connected hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA's rating schedule.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right and left eye disabilities, and residuals of trauma to tooth number eight due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for an increased evaluation for both conditions. The Veteran withdrew these appeals during a June 2014 hearing.,The Board also found that there is no evidence of an earlier claim for service connection for tinnitus prior to the current effective date of June 20, 2011. Therefore, the earliest possible effective date for service connection of tinnitus is June 20, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss disability does not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied as his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for a hearing impairment under VA regulations. The claim for TDIU remains pending and will be remanded to issue a Statement of the Case.

The Board has granted service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and rhinitis are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was incurred during active military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is not related to his service or secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA examinations and to ensure all relevant medical records are associated with the claims file. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, right inguinal hernia, and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a supplemental opinion regarding his service connection claims.