Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's hearing loss disability existed prior to service and he is seeking service connection for aggravation of this condition during active duty training. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain pertinent records and an opinion from a VA otolaryngologist.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or maintaining employment.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they do not have a link to his military service. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service noise exposure or any other connection between these conditions and his time in active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss did not have its onset during active service, was not manifested to a compensable degree within one year after separation from service in 1981 or 1993, and is not related to an injury, disease, or event in service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records from January 1945 to December 1955. The issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to August 7, 1973 remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his audiometric test results correspond to no greater than level II hearing loss for both ears.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is not considered an additional disability caused by the February 2008 VA ear treatment, and thus compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, as there is no competent evidence showing a link between his in-service experiences and any of the conditions he claims. The preponderance of the evidence is against all of the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and opinions related to his claims for service connection. The AOJ will also seek ships logs from the USS Okinawa, as they may pertain to the Veteran's claimed neck injury.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has not been met during the appeal period.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's skin cancer, hearing loss, or tinnitus to his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss disability since July 1, 2010 is denied as there is no audiological evidence to support an evaluation higher than 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to acoustic trauma during active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims of reopening and service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, a back condition, neck condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition are pending. The RO found new and material evidence in some cases but denied others on the merits.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not related to his active duty service and has denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and a VA examination to address the Veteran's hearing loss disability and tinnitus claims. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not due to noise exposure during his period of active service, including artillery and other weapons noise in Germany. As such, the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, as evaluated under the general rating criteria for hearing impairment, does not warrant a compensable evaluation. The noncompensable rating has been continued throughout the appeal period.