Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED to the AOJ due to inextricably intertwined issues, including service connection and increased ratings for hernia/stomach disability and right ear hearing loss. The case will be remanded for further development and adjudication.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, broken right ear drum, and tinnitus were denied as there is no current disability. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder was remanded.

The Veteran's hearing loss, headaches, and external otitis were not found to be related to his service. The Veteran did not experience compensable hearing loss at any point during the period on appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, and service connection for sleep apnea. The effective date claim was also denied as there is no evidence of a formal or informal service connection claim prior to August 31, 2010.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not shown during service or within one year of separation, and the VA examiner found no evidence to support a connection between his current hearing impairment and in-service noise exposure. The Board therefore determined that service connection for bilateral hearing loss could not be established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Hepatitis C may be related to his service, but additional evidence is needed to clarify this issue. The VA will need to obtain records from Yale Community Hospital and other relevant treatment providers for a definitive opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's current Hepatitis C.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was factually ascertainable as of May 31, 2012 and warrants a compensable rating (10%) from that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of VA medical records from January 1968 to June 1984. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is etiologically related to in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran was granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, type II diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease due to exposure to herbicides. The COPD claim is pending as the evidence does not establish a direct relationship with service.,Tinnitus was found to be less likely caused by service.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new and material evidence. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, residuals of TBI, and left ankle disability were denied. The claim for a higher rating for the left ankle was granted to 20 percent but not extended beyond February 28, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The claim for increased rating for residuals of SFW of the right lower extremity with Muscle Group (MG) XI damage and with retained foreign bodies (RFBs) was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss. The case will be returned to the Board after this additional development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be etiologically related to his active military service.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran has keloids on his chest and back, right ear hearing loss, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), right hip bursitis, left hip bursitis, right knee bursitis with chondromalacia, bilateral flat feet with degenerative changes of both feet, and stress related headaches. The Veteran's service connection claims are granted as his conditions are found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and PTSD were denied. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met at any point during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be etiologically related to active duty service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and an increased rating for right knee degenerative arthritis are remanded.