Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet or approximate criteria for a compensable disability rating based on VA audiometric testing performed in June 2010, which indicated non-compensable hearing loss.

The Board has ordered a remand due to incomplete development of the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The case is now being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not related to his active military service, including exposure to acoustic trauma during his time as a helicopter gunner. As such, the claims for service connection for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between current hearing loss or tinnitus and service. The preponderance of the evidence is against both claims.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss in the right ear and assigned an effective date of June 5, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining new VA opinions on the Veteran's respiratory disabilities and hearing loss.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing acuity at its worst is Level II in both ears.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is a ratable disability and, giving him the benefit of the doubt, finds it was incurred in service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently manifested by no worse than a Level I impairment of auditory acuity in both ears, and he does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's hearing loss is related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability was granted effective November 10, 2008. The right elbow and left foot disabilities were denied, and the hand disability was not addressed as it pertained to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's back disability and right ear hearing loss are found to be related to service, with the Board finding that a VA examination is necessary for clarification.

The Board denied service connection for vision impairment, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, mental stress and depression. The decision concluded that the Veteran's hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of asbestos-induced pleural disease, reopening of service connection claims for various conditions, and TDIU/SMC have been granted. The Veteran is now rated at 100% for his asbestos-induced pleural disease as of May 3, 2010.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was incurred in service and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is attributable to service, specifically noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, colon cancer, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or radiation. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under applicable regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating of 30 percent for PTSD. The Veteran's claim for TDIU remains pending.