Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, as evidenced by normal audiometric results at both entrance and separation from service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Board has dismissed this appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for clarification of treatment records and a VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for left knee disability were denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability or tinnitus disability that is related to his military service. The evidence of record, including VA and private treatment records, shows no complaints or findings of hearing loss or tinnitus during service or for many years following separation.

The Veteran's service-connected left ear sensorineural hearing loss results in no worse than Level I hearing acuity, and he is not service-connected for right ear hearing loss. Therefore, an initial compensable rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right ruptured ear drum, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service. The decision also grants the Veteran's claims based on the presumption of soundness at entry into service for the right ruptured ear drum.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes cavus and bilateral hearing loss were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The Board concluded that the Veteran's pes cavus preexisted service and was not aggravated in service, while his hearing loss did not meet VA criteria for a disability due to noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is causally related to service. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current sleep disability, nasal fracture residuals, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, sinusitis, or stomach disability for which service connection can be granted.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his current hearing impairment does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating. The claim for TDIU has also been denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss pre-existed service and did not worsen during service, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn for the issue of service connection for asbestosis. The Board found that a compensable disability rating (10%) is warranted for his right forehead scar, but denied entitlement to higher ratings for PTSD and other conditions.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and skin disorders. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was found not to be related to service, while his skin disorders were not shown to be related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.,Pending issues of service connection for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities remain unresolved.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, but further development is needed to assess the impact of these conditions on his employability.

The Veteran died in July 2010 due to esophageal cancer. The VA determined that his service-connected post-gastrectomy syndrome and hiatal hernia did not cause or contribute to his death, as the cause of his cancer was linked to smoking and male gender rather than any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for left thumb MCP joint and scaphoid osteoarthritis, right wrist osteoarthritis, low back strain, and right ear hearing loss have been denied. The current evaluations are found to be appropriate.