Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or symptoms during service. The VA examiner found it less likely than not that these conditions were caused by military noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 50 percent prior to February 19, 2014. From February 19, 2014, the rating has been increased to 80 percent.

The Board found no evidence of a current hearing loss or tinnitus disability, and the Veteran's reported symptoms are not related to his service. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for service connection, as there is no evidence of a chronic disease during or within one year after service. The VA examinations did not establish a link between the current conditions and service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple sclerosis and erectile dysfunction, but dismissed his claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, urinary complications, and an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as depression or anxiety).

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss disorder of the left ear did not increase in severity during service and thus denied service connection for aggravation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and referring her case to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's representative indicated that the Veteran was satisfied with the increased disability rating awarded in the August 2014 Supplemental Statement of the Case for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. As such, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations. The claims will be readjudicated based on all evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, while onychomycosis and urticaria were not manifest in or related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his active service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient examination reports and the need for additional VA treatment records. The issues of entitlement to a compensable initial disability rating for a service-connected right knee disability, entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss, and entitlement to service connection for cold injury residuals to the feet are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information available to render an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus without resorting to mere speculation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is as likely as not due to noise exposure during his period of active service. The claim for service connection for a back disability is also granted, with the opinion indicating it is at least as likely as not related to in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical records and provide a supplemental opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss and erectile dysfunction remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for loss of the bone of the skull was denied as there is no evidence of brain herniation, and the measured defect in the outer table of the skull is less than a 50 cent piece.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. No decisions were made on the merits of any claims.

The VA has denied a compensable evaluation for the appellant's bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current level of disability does not warrant such an increase.