Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining service treatment records from the Veteran's first period of active duty for training and his service in the Army Reserves. The Veteran must also provide a new CD/DVD containing information on the 106 recoilless rifle he fired during this time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease (CAD) may be presumed to be related to his military service due to his Vietnam-era exposure. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a more thorough examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Board found that there was no evidence to support a nexus between the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), and his military service. The preponderance of the evidence did not establish such a connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin during service, nor are they related to his in-service noise exposure. Therefore, service connection for both conditions was denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his left ear hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The examiner must assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss and determine if he has vertigo or other disability manifested by dizziness, which may be related to his hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his desire for a Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are still under consideration.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 5, 2013 was denied as his audiometric testing did not show exceptional or unusual hearing impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's schedular guidelines.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, pterygium, and refractive eye error. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to in-service noise exposure or service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran was found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities for the period from April 12, 2006 to May 4, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was incurred in active service, resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a bilateral shoulder disorder, as well as his claim for an increased rating for PTSD. The Veteran is not entitled to these benefits based on the evidence of record.

The Board found no evidence of a causal relationship between the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and his active duty service, as there was no in-service noise exposure documented. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a more clearly explained analysis regarding in-service noise exposure and the progression of his hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including new VA examinations to address hearing loss and tinnitus in relation to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found no current hearing loss disability, and the Veteran does not have a compensable evaluation for his lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc disease.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his pure tone thresholds did not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation. The issue of service connection for spinal stenosis is addressed in the REMAND portion and will be considered separately.